When he and Dalton went back home--they were again
with the Lanhams--they found the whole population of Richmond ablaze with
triumph. The Yankee army in the West had been routed. Not only was
Chickamauga an offset for Gettysburg, but for Vicksburg as well, and once
more the fortunes of the South were rising toward the zenith.
Dalton had returned from the army a little later this time than Harry,
but he had joined him at the Lanhams', and he too showed gravity amid the
almost universal rejoicing.
"I see that you're afraid the next news won't be so complete, Harry,"
he said.
"That's it, George. We don't really know much, except that Thomas was
holding his ground. Oh, if only Stonewall Jackson were there! Remember
how he came down on them at the Second Manassas and at Chancellorsville!
Thomas would be swept off his feet and as Rosecrans retreated into
Chattanooga our army would pour right on his heels!"
They waited eagerly the next day and the next for news, and while
Richmond was still filled with rejoicings over Chickamauga, Harry saw
that his fears were justified. Thomas stood till the end. Bragg had not
followed Rosecrans into Chattanooga. The South had won a great battle,
but not a decisive victory.
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