Long before dawn Harry reached the Southern sentinels in the center and
was then passed to General Lee, who remained at the same camp, sitting on
a log by some smothered coals. Several other members of his staff had
returned already, and the general, looking up when Harry came forward,
merely said:
"Well!"
"I have seen General Longstreet, sir," said Harry, "and he bids me tell
you that he and his men will be in position before dawn. He was nearly
up when I left, and he has also sent you this note."
He handed the note to General Lee, who, bending low over the coals,
read it.
"Everything goes well," he said with satisfaction. "We shall be ready
for them. What time is it, Peyton?"
"Five minutes past four o'clock, sir."
"Then I think the attack should come within an hour."
"Perhaps before daybreak, sir."
"Perhaps. And even after the sun begins to rise it will be like twilight
in this gloomy place."
Grant, in truth, prompt and ready as always, had ordered the advance to
be begun at half-past four, but Meade, asking more time for arrangements
and requesting that it be delayed until six, he had consented to a
postponement until five o'clock and no more.
Harry had one more message to carry, a short distance only, and on his
return he found the Invincibles posted on the commander-in-chief's right,
and not more than two hundred yards away.
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