William Curtis,
his habitual calm broken, was standing upon a chair and all the people
had gathered in front of him. A piece of paper, evidently a telegram,
was clutched in his hand.
"Friends," he said in a strained, but exultant voice, "a great battle has
been fought near Chattanooga on a little river called the Chickamauga,
and we have won a magnificent victory."
A mighty cheer came from the crowd.
"The army of Rosecrans, attacked with sudden and invincible force by
Bragg, has been shattered and driven into Chattanooga."
Another cheer burst forth.
"No part of the Union army was able to hold fast, save one wing under
Thomas."
A third mighty cheer arose, but this time Harry did not join in it.
He felt a sudden sinking of the heart at the words, "save one wing under
Thomas." Then the victory was not complete. It could be complete only
when the whole Union army was driven from the field. As long as Thomas
stood, there was a flaw in the triumph. He had heard many times of this
man, Thomas. He had Grant's qualities. He was at his best in apparent
defeat.
"Is there anything else, Mr. Curtis?" asked Colonel Talbot.
"That is all my agent sends me concerning its results, but he says
that it lasted two days, and that it was fierce and bloody beyond all
comparison with anything that has happened in the West.
Pages:
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281