Their way led through torn, tangled and burned thickets. Sometimes a
horse sprang violently to one side and neighed in pain. His hoof had
come down on earth, yet so hot that it scorched like fire. Now and then
sparks fell upon them, but they pursued their way, disregarding all
obstacles, and delivered their sealed orders to General Anderson, who at
once gathered up his full force, and marched away from the heart of the
Wilderness toward Spottsylvania Court House.
Harry surmised that Grant was attempting some great turning movement,
and Lee, divining it, was sending Anderson to meet his advance. He never
knew whether it was positive knowledge or a happy guess.
But he was quite sure that the night's ride was one of the most singular
and sinister ever made by an army. If any troops ever marched through
the infernal regions it was they. In this part of the Wilderness the
fires had been of the worst. Trees still smoldered. In the hollows,
where the bushes had grown thickest, were great beds of coals. The smoke
which the low heavy skies kept close to the earth was thick and hot.
Gusts of wind sent showers of sparks flying, and, despite the greatest
care to protect the ammunition, they marched in constant danger of
explosion.
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