At this point Dr. Adams inquired if Gen. Rosenfelt ever expressed any regret at not listening to the information imparted to him on the morning of the battle. “No, sir; I did not so understand.” “Uncle Daniel, did you know anything of Mrs. Houghton after this?” “Yes; she continued to do good service for our cause, as you will learn hereafter.” Uncle Daniel here called in Mrs. Wilson. She was a bright and beautiful woman. He took her in his arms and said to us: “This dear child and one boy, the son of another of my boys, are all of whom I can now boast.” His speech at this point was so pathetic and saddening, that the whole party were unconsciously moved to tears. His voice trembled, and he slowly walked out of the room, overwhelmed by the sad memories he had awakened. CHAPTER XI. THE COURT-MARTIAL.--AT MURPHY'S HILL.--THE TWO OPPOSING ARMIES AND THEIR MOVEMENTS.--JAMES WHITCOMB'S TRIAL.-- SENTENCED TO DEATH AND PARDONED BY THE PRESIDENT. “But mercy is above this sceptered sway, It is enthroned in the heart of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's, When mercy seasons Justice.” --Shakespeare. “Gen. Biggs having taken up his position in the angle of the headwaters of Goose River and Cane's Fork, near Tullahoming, in the midst of a rich valley, Rosenfelt at once commenced repairing the railroads and throwing up earthworks near Murphy's Hill, which almost encircled the entire place. There he remained during the winter and following spring. The two armies were principally engaged in watching each other, neither being willing to risk an advance against the other. For several months this situation continued. The only operations that marked this long period of inaction on the part of the two armies were a series of small exploits which were calculated to cause the two armies to degenerate into small bands, that could only be employed in harassing their enemies. The rebels got ready, however, and made the first attempt. Gen. Weller, with a brigade of cavalry, pushed his way up within a few miles of Nashua, burned a railroad bridge, then descended on the right bank of the Le-Harp River to the banks of Combination River, and there seized several of our transports, which were loaded with supplies. He burned these with all their cargoes. One of our gunboats reached the scene of action just in time to also become a prey to the flames.