"
They remained for a while among some bushes, and secured positive
knowledge that the bulk of the Army of the Potomac was drawing near.
Toward midnight Harry returned to his commander-in-chief and found him
awake and in consultation with his generals, under some trees near the
Potomac. Longstreet, Rhodes, Pickett, Early, Anderson, Pender and a
dozen others were there, all of them scarred and tanned by battle,
and most of them bearing wounds.
Harry stood back, hesitating to invade this circle, even when he came
with dispatches, but the commander-in-chief, catching sight of him,
beckoned. Then, taking off his cap, he walked forward and presented a
note from Colonel Talbot. It was brief, stating that the enemy was near,
and Lee read it aloud to his council.
"And what were your own observations, Lieutenant Kenton?" asked the
commander-in-chief.
"As well as I could judge, sir, the enemy will appear on our whole front
soon after daybreak."
"And will be in great enough force to defeat us."
"Not while you lead us, sir."
"A courtier! truly a courtier!" exclaimed Stuart, smoothing the great
feather of his gorgeous hat, which lay upon his knee.
Harry blushed.
"It may have had that look," he said, "but I meant my words.
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