Meade has delayed like McClellan at Antietam,
and, doubtless as McClellan did, he thinks our army much larger than it
really is."
"It's so," said Dalton. "We're to be delivered, and we're to be
delivered without a battle, a battle that we could ill afford, even if
we won it."
Both were in a state of intense anxiety and they looked many times at the
sun and their watches. Then they searched the hostile army with their
glasses. But nothing of moment was stirring there. Lower and lower sank
the sun, and a great thrill ran through the Army of Northern Virginia.
In both armies the soldiers were intelligent men--not mere creatures
of drill--who thought for themselves, and while those in the Army of
Northern Virginia were ready, even eager to fight if it were pushed upon
them, they knew the great danger of their position. Now the word ran
along the whole line that if they fought at all it would be on their side
of the river.
Harry and Dalton did not sleep that night. They could not have done
so had the chance been offered. They like others rode all through the
darkness carrying messages to the different commands, insuring exact
cooperation. As the hours of the night passed the aspect of everything
grew better.
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