"
"It is very important now," said Stuart; "it indicates Grant's
programme--his wish to get out of the Wilderness. He is at Old
Wilderness Tavern?"
"He was this morning, general, with Meade and Sedgwick."
"You were there?"
"I was, general."
"What did you gather, Nighthawk?"
"Little or nothing, general. True, I heard one or two amusing things as
I loitered among the couriers near."
"What?"
"General Grant came out talking with Meade, Sedgwick, and Warren.
General Meade said, '_They have left a division to fool us here, while
they concentrate, and prepare a position toward the North
Anna,--and what I want is to prevent these fellows from getting back to
Mine Run._'"[1]
[Footnote 1: His words.]
Stuart laughed.
"Well,'these fellows' don't appear to be going back. What did Grant
say?"
"He smoked, general."
"And did not open his lips?"
"Only once, when General Meade said something about 'manoeuvring.'"
"What did he say?"
"I can give you his words. He took his cigar from his lips--puffed out
the smoke--and replied, '_Oh! I never manoeuvre_!'"[1]
[Footnote 1: His words.]
"So much the better," said Stuart: "the general that does not manoeuvre
sacrifices his men: and I predict that General Grant will soon alter
his programme."
Stuart had ordered his horse to be saddled, and now mounted to go to
General Lee's head-quarters.
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