But B Company did not escape so luckily in the battle of Spottsylvania, following close on the heels of the Wilderness. Several were killed outright and a number wounded. The company lost twenty-four men, killed and died, during its service--a number far above the average of companies throughout the army. The One hundred and twenty-fifth made a splendid record. I was always glad to run across the regiment at the front, and to compare notes with the Berlin boys in Company B. CHAPTER VIII. _A Council of War--Observations at Daylight--The Second Day in the Wilderness--Not to Fall Back--The Rebel Yell--The Third Day--Custer at Work--An Ideal Cavalry Officer._ [Illustration: 9124] T daybreak we expected to renew the Battle of the Wilderness--if the rebels did not pitch into us again during the night. The enlisted men of our company held a council of war before any of them availed themselves of the privilege of turning in for a snooze. “I wonder if the Johnnies will skedaddle before morning?” said one of the boys who had been back at Ely's ford and had not participated in the first day's fight. “You had better take a sleep. We'll call you if the enemy shows up before reveille.” “All right, here goes. I can sleep one night more with a clear conscience, for my hands have not been stained with the blood of a single enemy.” Of course, these remarks were made jokingly. No matter how serious the situation might be, there was always a disposition among the soldiers to make light of it. After the “re-enforcement” had retired the council was continued. “I don't think it's fair to ask the cavalry to fight on foot as we did yesterday.” “But what else could we do when we come to that high fence?” “We might have stopped and waited for the Johnnies to charge us.” “Well, I guess Phil Sheridan knows how to fight his men better'n we know ourselves.” “We'll have another fight in the morning.” “Certainly.” “And there'll be more of us killed and wounded.” “Yes.” “I wonder whether we're whipped, or the rebels have got the worst of it?” “Can't tell till daylight, we're all mixed up so.” “But Grant must know.” “That's so--but where's Grant?” “He's with Meade back near that old quartz mill where we had dinner the day we crossed the Rapidan.” “The lieutenant told me that Grant's orders are for our side to make an attack at three o'clock.” “Then we're not whipped.” “Not if we've got orders to open the ball in the morning. Let's get what rest we can.” “All right.” About three o'clock Friday morning--we were taking turns in sleeping--I called upon my bunkey to “get out of bed and let me get in.” “I haven't been asleep yet.” “That's your own fault; you've had time enough.” “I was just getting good and sleepy--but I'm not piggish. Take the bed.”