The boys, after eating and drinking lay down again. They still heard the
firing of pickets, but it was no more than the buzzing of bees to them,
and after a while they fell into the sleep of nervous and physical
exhaustion. But while many of the soldiers slept all of the generals
were awake.
It was a singular fact but in the night that divided the great battle of
the Second Manassas into two days both sides were full of confidence.
Jackson's men, who had borne the brunt of the first day, rested upon
their arms and awaited the dawn with implicit confidence in their leader.
On the other flank Lee and Longstreet were massing their men for a fresh
attack.
The losses within the Union lines were replaced by reinforcements.
Pope rode among them, sanguine, full of hope, telegraphing to Washington
that the enemy had lost two to his one, and that Lee was retreating
toward the mountains.
Dick slept uneasily through the night, and rose to another hot August
sun. Then the two armies looked at each other and it seemed that each
was waiting for the other to begin, as the morning hours dragged on and
only the skirmishers were busy.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173