No Rebel cavalry confronted us in the highway, nor shouted an unwelcome "halt!" from a roadside thicket.

All was still, though we fancied we could hear a sound of troops in motion far in the distance toward Wilson Creek.

The Rebels were doubtless astir, though they did not choose to interfere with the retreat of our army.
As day broke and the sun rose, we found the people of both complexions thronging to the road, and seeking, anxiously, the latest intelligence.

At first we bore their questions patiently, and briefly told them what had occurred.

Finding that we lost much time, we began, early in the day, to give the shortest answers possible.