Tents were pitched securely, and,
feeling that they were to stay here a long time many of the soldiers
built rude log cabins.
General Lee himself continued to use his tent, which stood in the center
of the camp, the streets of tents and cabins radiating from it like the
spokes of a wheel. Close about Lee's own tent were others occupied by
Colonel Taylor, his adjutant general, Colonel Peyton, Colonel Marshall,
and other and younger officers, including Harry and Dalton. A little
distance down one of the main avenues, which they were pleased to call
Victory Street, the Invincibles were encamped, and Harry saw them almost
every day.
The troops were well fed now, and the brooks provided an abundance of
clear water. The days were still warm, but the evenings were cold, and,
inhaling the healing odors of the pines and cedars, wounded soldiers
returned rapidly to health.
It was a wonderful interval for Harry and his friends associated with him
so closely. Save for the presence of armies, it seemed at times that
there was no war. Deep peace prevailed along the Rapidan and the slopes
of the mountain. It was the longest period of rest that he and his
comrades were to know in the course of the mighty struggle.
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