"
"Where were the armies when we last heard from them?" asked a captain.
"Bragg was turning north to attack Rosecrans, who stood somewhere between
him and Chattanooga."
"I'm glad that it's Rosecrans and not Grant who commands the Northern
army there," said Harry.
"Why?" asked Colonel Talbot.
"I've studied the manner in which he took Vicksburg, and I've heard about
him from my father, and others. He won't be whipped. He isn't like the
other Northern generals. He hangs on, whatever happens. I heard some
one quoting him as saying that no matter how badly his army was suffering
in battle, the army of the other fellow might be suffering worse.
It seems to me that a general who is able to think that way is very
dangerous."
"And so he is, Harry," said Colonel Talbot. "I, too, am glad that it's
Rosecrans and not Grant. If there's any news of a battle, we're not in a
bad place to hear it. It's said that Mr. Curtis always knows as soon as
our government what's happened."
The talk drifted on to another subject and then a hum came from the
larger room. A murmur only, but it struck such an intense and earnest
note that Harry was convinced.
"It's news of battle! I know it!" he exclaimed.
They sprang to their feet and hurried into the ballroom.
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