The action of that day was the initial conflict of the seven-days' battles. General McClellan actually commenced his long-deferred operations against the city of Richmond. But the favorable moment had passed by, and even then the battalions of the rebels were gathering in readiness to be hurled upon our devoted army. While the regiment, whose fortunes have been more intimately connected with our story, was retiring from the pestiferous swamp, the commanding general received information of the approach of Stonewall Jackson. These proved to be sad tidings; for the anticipated triumphal march into the rebel capital was changed into a bloody but glorious retreat. The battles which were to be fought for a victorious advance were made to cover a disastrous defeat--disastrous to the campaign, though not to the army. Fatigued, hungry and chilled by the night damps of the swamp, the regiment threaded its way through the intricacies of the woods towards the breastworks in the rear. It was a dark and gloomy hour, though the _prestige_ of victory dwelt in the souls of the gallant soldiers. The officers were not familiar with the ground; and with difficulty they found their way back to the old line. "Well, Somers, how do you feel?" asked Captain de Banyan when the regiment was dismissed. "I'm all worn out. I haven't got toughened to this kind of work yet," replied Somers. "Don't give it up yet, my boy. We shall be in Richmond in less than a week, and then we will take rooms at the Spottswood House, and have a good time." "Do you believe we shall ever get into Richmond, captain?" "Certainly I do. Everything is working to my entire satisfaction. You feel a little blue, my boy; but it is only because you are tired. You will feel better in the morning." "I am tired, but I am not blue. I am ready to do my duty, in victory or defeat. There has been an awful roar of guns all day, and no one can tell what the result of a battle will be." "An awful roar of guns! 'Pon my word, I like that," laughed the captain. "Why, at Magenta----" "Magenta again!" sneered Somers, who was heartily sick of that word. "Yes, at Magenta! If you could only have heard the guns there! Why, there were seven thousand two hundred and forty-six pieces rattling away like mad on our side alone; and I believe the Russians----" "Russians at Magenta again! I don't believe you were at the battle of Magenta any more than I was!" exclaimed Somers desperately. "Do you mean to tell me that I lie?" asked the captain gravely. "Go on with your story," said the lieutenant, fearing that he had said too much. "Answer my question, if you please. You gave me the lie; did you not?" "No; I didn't use that word." "You said you didn't believe I was at the battle of Magenta." "To be perfectly candid with you, I don't believe it; but I am tired, and want my supper," answered Somers, wishing to escape the issue which he had provoked.