82 THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. troubled nobody but the troops immediately exposed. They were happening at every hour of the day, and there is nothing which may not become a habit. But sometimes the musketry and the cannon came booming together with a vivacity which no one could mistake, and then every one sprang to arms, and the staff got into the saddle. The enemy was making a demonstration in force, and we were replying. Would a battle grow out of it? This constant uncertainty was singularly exhausting. But the battle never came. The Southern generals were no more anxious than the Northern to bring on prematurely a general engagement. They had their plans, and were leaving them to ripen. Every day brought them new reinforcements, and they expected still more. The whole force of the rebellion must soon be gathered in upon Richmond. Meanwhile, disease ravaged the exhausted soldiers of the federal army. The extreme heat combined with the marshy exhalations generated fevers which took ii]ion them almost instantly a typhoid character. Certain divisions which had already been weakened in action had two thousand sick upon their list. A system of temporary and irregular leaves of absence had grown np in the army, which also conspired to reduce its effective strength. Many colonels arrogated to themselves the right of granting leaves of absence for a few days to soldiers who went and were seen no more. It is right, however, to say that at this critical time General McClellan received some small reinforcements. One of bis old divisions, that <>f McCall, was restored to him. Moreover, fortress Monroe having been at last put under hismrders, he had drawn tlienee some 5 or G,000 men. This was something, but it was not enough; it was far from being enough to fill up the gaps made in the ranks, which widened daily. These days of inaction had a further disadvantage, that thev encon 'aged hostile partisans to dashing enterprises. The
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