"And those telegrams--nothing. We get little that is worth attention,
except a line now and then, signed 'R.E. Lee.'"
"Well, there is that signature," I said, pointing to an open paper.
"It is a private letter to me--but do you wish to see a line which I
have just received? It is interesting, I assure you."
And he handed me a paper.
It was a telegram announcing the fall of Atlanta!
"Good heavens!" I said, "is it possible? Then there is nothing to stop
Sherman."
"Nothing whatever," said Mr. X-----, coolly.
"What will be the consequence?"
"The Confederacy will be cut in two. Sherman will be at Savannah before
Grant reaches the Southside road--or as soon, at least."
"You think Grant will reach that?"
"Yes, by April; and then--you know what!"
"But Lee will protect it."
Mr. X----- shrugged his shoulders.
"Shall I tell you a secret?"
I listened.
"Lee's force is less than 50,000--next spring it will not number
40,000. Grant's will be at least four times that."
"Why can not our army be re-enforced?"
Mr. X----- helped himself to a fresh cigar.
"The people are tired, and the conscript officers are playing a farce,"
he said. "The commissary department gives the army a quarter of a pound
of rancid meat. That even often fails, for the quartermaster's
department does not supply it.
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