But St.Clair and Langdon were free of speech.
"Well, Harry," said Happy Tom, "is Old Jack going to send us up against intrenchments and four to one ?" "He hasn't confided in me, but I don't think he means to do any such thing.

He remembers, as even a thick-head like you, Happy, would remember, how the splendid army of Burnside beat itself to pieces against our works at Fredericksburg." "Well, then, why are we here ?" "There's sense in your question, Tom, but I can't answer it." "No, there isn't any sense in it," interrupted St.Clair.

"Do you suppose for an instant that Lee and Jackson would bring us here if they didn't have a mighty good reason for it ?" "That's so," admitted Happy Tom; "but General Lee isn't here.

Yes, he is! Listen to the cheering!" They sprang to their feet and saw Lee coming through the woods on his white horse, Traveler, a roar of cheers greeting him as he advanced.
Behind him came new brigades, and Harry believed that the whole Southern army was now united before Hooker.
Lee dismounted and Jackson went forward to meet his chief.

The staffs stood at a respectful distance as the two men met and began to talk, glancing now and then toward the distant lights that showed where the army of Hooker stood..