He lingered for only a few moments, and then rode on with his column.

Lee's eyes followed him, but he and his great lieutenant had spoken together for the last time.
Now they settled into silence, save for the marching sounds, of which the most dominant was the rumbling of the artillery.

But all the men in the great column knew that they were embarked upon some mighty movement.
Very few asked themselves what it was.

Nor did they care.

They put their faith in the great leader who had always led them to victory.
He could lead them where he chose.
A light wind arose and the bushes and scrub forest of the Wilderness moved gently like the surface of a lake.