The news was transmitted to the Executive that a brigadier-general and
his escort of cavalry had been "gobbled up," the current and expressive
term, by rebel raiders, near Fairfax Court-house, close enough to
resound the echoes of the affray.
"I am sorry of the loss of the horses," deplored the President. "I mean
that I can make a brigadier-general any day--but those horses cost the
government a hundred and twenty-five to fifty dollars a head!"
* * * * *