Thus the only persons present were Gordon and Longstreet,
commanding the skeleton corps of infantry, and Fitzhugh Lee, the
cavalry of the army.
Gordon was stretched near Fitzhugh Lee, upon the blankets of the
commander-in-chief; Gordon, with his clear complexion, his penetrating
eyes, his firm lip, his dark hair, and uniform coat buttoned to his
chin--the man to fight and die rather than surrender. Near him lay Fitz
Lee, the ardent and laughing cavalier, with the flowing beard, the
sparkling eyes, the top-boots, and cavalry sabre--the man to stand by
Gordon. On a log, a few feet distant, sat the burly Longstreet, smoking
with perfect nonchalance--his heavily bearded face exhibiting no
emotion whatever. Erect, within a few paces of these three men, stood
General Lee--grave, commanding, unmoved; the fire-light revealing every
outline of his vigorous person, clad in its plain gray uniform, the
gray beard and mustache, the serene eyes, and that stately poise of the
head upon the shoulders, which seemed to mark this human being for
command.
All these persons were composed. Their faces were haggard from want of
rest, but there was nothing in their expressions indicating anxiety,
though some gloom.
"It was a picture for an artist," said that one of them who described
the scene to me afterward.
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