But McClellan was overcome by caution. In spite of everything he doubled
or tripled the numbers of the enemy. Personally brave beyond dispute,
he feared for his army. The position of the enemy on the peninsula
seemed to have changed somewhat through the night. He believed that the
batteries had been moved about, and he telegraphed to Washington that he
must find out exactly the disposition of Lee's forces and where the fords
were.
Meanwhile the long, hot hours dragged on. The dust trodden up by so many
marching feet was terrible. It hung in clouds and added a sting to the
burning heat. Dick was wild with impatience, but he knew that it was not
worth while to say anything. He, Warner and Pennington, for the lack of
something else to do, lay on the dry grass, whispering and watching as
well as they could what was going on in Sharpsburg.
Meanwhile Sharpsburg itself seemed a monument to peace. It was deep in
dust and the sun blazed on the roofs. Staff officers rode up, and when
they dismounted they lazily led their horses to the best shade that
could he found.
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