Then he felt a burst
of wild joy.
One of the most extraordinary incidents in the whole history of war had
occurred. He knew in an instant that this was Lee's general orders
to his army, and that at such a time nothing could be more important.
Evidently copies of it had been sent to all his division commanders,
and this one by some singular chance either had not reached its
destination, or had been tossed carelessly aside after reading. Found by
those who needed it most wrapped around three cigars! It was a miracle!
Nothing short of it! How could the Union army be defeated after such
an omen?
It was the copy intended for the Southern general, D. H. Hill--he denied
that he ever received it--but it did not matter to Dick then for whom it
was intended. He saw at once all the possibilities. Lee and Jackson had
divided their army again. Emboldened by the splendid success of their
daring maneuver at Manassas they were going to repeat it.
He looked again at the date on the order. September 9th! And this was
the 13th! Jackson was to march on the 10th. He had been gone three days
with the half, perhaps, of Lee's army, and Lee himself must be somewhere
near at hand.
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