1862.--Kilpatrick at Beaver Dam.--Captain John S. Mosby.--Return of the Raiders.--Complimentary Orders.--The Harris Light at Anderson's Turnout.--Rebel Account of the Scare.--General John P. Hatch, his Misfortunes and Justification.--Reconnoissances.--Battle of Cedar Mountain.--Hospital at Culpepper.--General Stuart in Close Quarters. --His Adjutant-General Captured.--Death of Captain Charles Walters. --Pope driven back and waiting for Reinforcements.--Kilpatrick's Fight at Brandy Station.--Waterloo Bridge.--Bristoe Station.-- Manassas Junction.--Battle of Groveton.--Second Bull Run.--Chantilly and Death of Kearny.--General Pope resigns. Our prospects as a nation were any thing but promising about the fourth of July, 1862. Our operations in the Shenandoah Valley had been very expensive and fruitless. The Peninsular campaign, which promised so much at its beginning, which had proceeded at so fearful a cost of treasure and blood, was pronounced a failure at last, and the great armies, depleted and worn, were well nigh discouraged. The celebration of the anniversary of our national birthday was observed throughout the loyal North in the midst of gloomy forebodings, and only the pure patriotism of governors of States, and of the President of the United States, gave the people any ground of hope for success. In the army changes of leaders were occurring, which produced no little amount of jealousy among the "stars," and upon which the opinion of the rank and file was divided. On the fourteenth of July, General John Pope, having been called from a glorious career in the West, took command of the Army of Virginia, which was a consolidation of the commands of Fremont, Banks, and McDowell. Before General Pope left Washington, he ordered General Rufus King, who was in command at Fredericksburg, to make a raid on the Virginia Central Railroad, for the purpose of destroying it at as many points as possible, and thus impede communications between Richmond and the Valley. This work was committed to our regiment.