He had drawn Grant into the
Wilderness and then he had held him fast in a battle of uncommon size and
fierceness. But nothing was decided. He had studied the career of Grant,
and he knew that he had a foe of great qualities with whom to deal.
He would have to fight him again, and fight very soon. He heard too with
a sorrow, hard to conceal, the reports of his own losses. They were
heavy enough and the gaps now made could never be refilled. The Army of
Northern Virginia, which had been such a powerful instrument in his hands,
must fight with ever diminishing numbers.
Harry was sent to inquire into the condition of Longstreet, whom he found
weak physically and suffering much pain. But the veteran was upborne by
the success of the day and his belief in ultimate victory. He bade Harry
tell the commander-in-chief that his men were fit to fight again and
better than ever, at the first shoot of dawn.
Harry rode back in the night, the burning trees serving him for torches.
Nearly all the soldiers were busy. Some were gathering up the wounded
and others were building breastworks. His eyes were reddened by the
powder-smoke, and often the heavy black masses of vapor were impenetrable,
save where the forest burned.
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