I had learned in Washington that Captain DeLacy was with Dare's division, which had crossed the Potomac with Luce. My plan was to make my way across the Potomac, find the whereabouts of Dare's division, make my way beyond it, assume my disguise and turn back toward the river so as to approach the Rebel lines after dark. I knew I would be stopped as soon as I encountered the first Confederate soldiers and an exhibition of my pass demanded. I would account for its absence by saying I had lost it. When permission to proceed was refused, as I knew it would be, I would insist on going on and finally demand an interview with Captain DeLacy to prove my identity. Once in his presence, I had little doubt but that I could pass myself off for Salome. I would tell him I had been called to New York by the illness of my sister and was trying to get back home, which would be a plausible story and not likely to be questioned. I knew I would have to run great risks. There would be first and always a chance of being picked up and summarily finished in an unprepared moment. There would be the possibility that Captain DeLacy had been sent on temporary duty to some other point than that where I expected to find him. And if I found him, there would be a chance of his having received a late letter from Salome, which would prove my story a falsehood. Of the latter, however, I did not think there would be much danger. In our army orders had gone into effect some days previous that no letters or papers of any kind should be sent or received. It was most likely that mail was equally scarce among the Rebels. I thought it would be strange if I did not gleam a few facts, which would be of use to us, during my interview with Captain DeLacy and during the time required to make my way in and out of the Confederate camp, wherever it might prove to be. I left my chamber and made my way through the darkened hall to the family rooms at the front of the house, my footsteps sounding loud in the unaccustomed stillness. Determined as I was to do what I had planned, I involuntarily hesitated a moment before I opened the first closed door, then shaking off the feeling of reluctance, I went on with my work. A search of Salome's and my aunt's rooms soon secured me an outfit sufficient for my purpose--a dark dress, several white petticoats, a pair of shoes, a long, black cloak and an embroidered neck scarf, which I had often seen Salome wear, also a heavy black veil and a pair of gloves, odorous with the perfume Salome always had about her. I carried the clothes to my room to try the effect.