"Important news, general. The Federal army is about to move."
"To cross?"
"Yes."
"Where--when!--what force!"
"One hundred and forty thousand of all arms. I answer the last question
first."
"And--"
"The army will advance in two columns. The right--of Sedgwick's and
Warren's corps--will cross at Germanna Ford. The left, consisting of
Hancock's corps, at Ely's ford below. They have pontoon and bridge
trains--and the movement will commence at midnight on the third--two
days from now."
Stuart knit his brows, and buried his hand in his beard. Suddenly he
called out to the orderly:--
"Have two horses saddled in five minutes!" And seizing his hat, he
said:--
"Get ready to ride to General Lee's head-quarters with me, Nighthawk!"
The clerical looking emissary put on his respectable black hat.
"You are certain of this intelligence?" Stuart said, turning with a
piercing glance to him.
"Quite certain, general," said Mr. Nighthawk, serenely.
"You were in the camps?"
"In all, I believe, and at army head-quarters."
"You overheard your intelligence?"
"No, I captured it, general."
"How?"
"A courier was sent in haste--I saw the commander-in-chief speaking to
him. I followed--came up with him in a hollow of the woods--and was
compelled to blow his brains out, as he would not surrender.
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