He listened a while to the
growing thunder of the battle in the north--the Dunkard church, around
which Jackson and Hooker were fighting so desperately, was a mile away--
but he soon turned his attention to the blue masses across the Antietam.
The Southern commander faced the Antietam with the hard-hitting
Longstreet on his right, his left being composed of the forces of Jackson,
already in furious conflict. Nothing escaped him. As he listened to the
thunder of the dreadful battle in the north, he never ceased to watch the
great army in front of him on the other side of the little river.
While Hooker and his men were fighting with such desperate courage,
why did not McClellan and the main body of the Union army move forward
to the attack? Doubtless Lee asked himself this question, and doubtless
also he had gauged accurately the mind of the Union leader, who always
saw two or even three enemies where but one stood. Relying so strongly
upon his judgment he dared to strip himself yet further and send more men
to Jackson. A messenger brought him news that more of Jackson's men had
come to his aid and that he was now holding the whole line against the
attacks of Meade and Hooker and all the rest.
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