He estimated
that the combined losses are between thirty and forty thousand men."
A heavy silence fell upon them all. The victory was great, but the
price for it was great, too. Yet exultation could not be subdued long.
They were soon smiling over it, and congratulating one another. But
Harry was still unable to share wholly in the joy of victory.
"Why this gloom in your face, when all the rest of us are so happy?"
asked St. Clair.
"My father was there. He may have fallen. How do I know?"
"That's not it. He always comes through. What's the real cause?
Out with it!"
"You know that part of the dispatch saying, 'No part of the Union army
was able to hold fast save one wing under Thomas.' How about that wing!
You heard, too, what the colonel said about General Bragg. He always
overestimates the strength of the enemy, and while he may win a victory
he will not reap the fruits of it. That wing under Thomas still may be
standing there, protecting all the rest of the Union army."
"Come now, old Sober Face! This isn't like you. We've won a grand
victory! We've more than paid them back for their Gettysburg."
Harry rejoiced then with the others, but at times the thought came to
him that Thomas with one wing might yet be standing between Bragg and
complete victory.
Pages:
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282