CHAPTER VIII.
Having undertaken to faithfully trace this narrative exactly as it was recorded in the journal of my youth, I have accordingly now to transcribe a few pages of it in diary form, and as this diary records the passing events that actually occurred until we were succoured, its contents will, in some measure, tend to illustrate the perilous position held at this time by the Corps.
Amorah, February 23rd, 1858. — Early this morning some attention was paid to “comfort,” and the tents were pitched in a manner quite novel to witness, and with a tidiness we had not yet seen.
The regimental guards are stationed in front of the encampment, and pickets with chains of videttes keep sharp eyes on the surrounding country.
The horses are picketed in four parallel lines of one troop each, and the baggage elephants occupy a patch of ground immediately in rear of the encampment.
The camp followers seeing these unusual precautions taken for the protection of the camp, and hearing the enemy‘s guns in the distance, begin to show signs of apprehension, so much so that in all probability, if in the darkness of night a hearty cheer was raised by
