He gazed at me keenly, evidently doubtful as to his best course of action, and I heard an officer behind him laugh. “Where are you from?” “I was discharged from St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond day before yesterday, and am now seeking to rejoin my regiment.” I almost imagined I was looked upon as a soldier crazed by his sufferings; I heard a whisper, “Out of his head,” yet as I gazed earnestly into those stern gray eyes which fronted me, they suddenly grew moist. “Surely,” he said gravely, “I have seen your face before. To what regiment were you attached?” “The ----th Virginia Cavalry.” The buzzing of voices about me instantly ceased, and General Lee took a step nearer. “The ----th Virginia? You were a captain? Surely this is not Philip Wayne?” So deeply surprised was his tone, so uncertain his recognition, I scarcely knew what to answer. Had I lost my very identity? was this all a dream? “I am Captain Wayne, Troop D, ----th Virginia.” He grasped my hand warmly between both his own, and his kindly face lit up instantly with a rare smile. “Captain Wayne, I cannot tell you how greatly I rejoice at your safe return. We certainly owe you an apology for this poor reception, but you were reported as killed in action many months ago. I doubt not Colonel Maitland truly believed he looked upon a ghost when you first accosted him.” For the moment I was unable to speak, so deeply did his words affect me. “I fear, Captain Wayne,” he continued gravely, yet retaining my hand within his own, “that I must bring you sad news.” “Sad news?” Instantly there came to me the thought of my widowed mother. “Not from home, I trust, sir?” “No,” with great tenderness, “your mother, I believe, remains well; yet the words I must speak are nevertheless sad ones, and must prove a severe shock to you. There is no ----th Virginia.” “No ----th Virginia?” I echoed, scarce able to comprehend his meaning, “no ----th Virginia? I beg you to explain, sir; surely”--and I looked about me upon the various uniforms of the service present--“the war has not yet ceased--we have not surrendered?” “No, my boy,” and the old hero reverently bared his gray head in the sunlight, “but the ----th Virginia gave itself to the South that day in the Shenandoah.” I must have grown very white, for a young aide sprang hastily forward and passed his arm about me. Yet I scarcely realized the action, for my whole thought was with the dead. “Do you mean they are all gone?” I questioned, tremblingly, hardly able to grasp the full dread import of such ghastly tidings. “Surely, General Lee, some among them must have come back.”