"You wish then to
be sure of the junction between our two armies before Lee and Jackson
strike?"
"Yes, Dick. That is what is on my mind. The retreat of this army,
although it may have caused us chagrin, was most opportune. It gave
us two chances, when we had but one before. But, Dick, I'm afraid. I
wouldn't say this to anybody but you and you must not repeat me. I wish
I could divine what is in the mind of those two men, Lee and Jackson.
They surely have a plan of some kind, but what is it?"
"Have we any definite news from the other side, sir?"
"Shepard came in this morning. But little ever escapes him, and he says
that the whole Southern army is up. All their best leaders are there.
Lee and Jackson and Longstreet and the Hills and Early and Lawton and
the others. He says that they are all flushed with confidence in their
own courage and fighting powers and the ability of their leaders. Oh,
if only the Army of the Potomac would come! If we could only stave off
battle long enough for it to reach us!"
"Don't you think we could do it, sir? Couldn't General Pope retreat on
Washington then, and, as they continued to follow us, we could turn and
spring on them with both armies.
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