A tall and magnificent figure in a general's uniform next attracted Harry's attention.

He was an old man, but he held himself very erect and his head was crowned with splendid snowy hair.
"Old Fuss and Feathers," said a man near Harry, and the boy knew that this was General Scott, the Virginian, who had led the famous and victorious march into the City of Mexico, and who was now in name, but in name only, commander of the Northern army.

His father had served under him in those memorable battles and Harry looked at him with a certain veneration, as the old man passed on and disappeared in another room.

Then came more, some famous and others destined to be so.
The atmosphere of the great building was surcharged.

Harry and his comrades had heard that the North was discouraged, that the people would not fight, that they would "let the erring sisters go in peace." It did not seem so to him here.