"You must be a body guard for the general," he said to Colonel Leonidas
Talbot.
"There could be no greater honor for the Invincibles, nor could General
Lee have a better guard."
"I'm sure of that, sir."
"What's happening, Harry? Tell us what's been going on in the night!"
"Our line of battle has been formed. General Longstreet and his men on
the right are soon to be in touch with General Hill. I returned from him
a little while ago. I can't yet smell the dawn, but I think the battle
will come before then."
Harry rode back and resumed his place beside Dalton. The troops
everywhere were on their feet, cannon and rifles ready, because it was a
certainty that the two armies would meet very early.
In fact, the Army of Northern Virginia began to slide slowly forward.
It was not the habit of these troops to await attack. Lee nearly always
had taken the offensive, and the motion of his men was involuntary.
They felt that the enemy was there and they must go to meet him.
"What time is it now?" whispered Dalton.
Harry was barely able to discern the face of his watch.
"Ten minutes to five," he replied.
"And the dawn comes early. It won't be long before Grant comes poking
his nose through the Wilderness.
Pages:
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354