Dick thought it was merely the reflection of the fire.
"Would you care for me to read what she says about you ?" asked Dick.
"If you don't mind." Dick drew out the letter again and read the paragraph.
"Your mother is a very fine woman," said Colonel Winchester.
"You're right, sir," said Dick with enthusiasm.
Colonel Winchester said no more, but rose presently and went to the tent of General Grant, where a conference of officers was to be held.

Dick remained by the fire, where Warner and Pennington soon joined him.
"Our scouts have exchanged some shots with the enemy," said Pennington, "and they have taken one or two prisoners, bold fellows who say they're going to lick the spots off us.

They say they have a big army at Donelson, and they're afraid of nothing except that Grant won't come on.
Between ourselves, the Johnny Rebs are getting ready for us." It was Dick's opinion, too, that the Southern troops were making great preparations to meet them, but, like the others, he was feeling the strong hand on the reins.

He did not notice here the doubt and uncertainty that had reigned at Washington before the advance on Bull Run; in Grant's army were order and precision, and with perfect confidence in his commander he rolled himself in his blankets that night and went to sleep.
The order to advance did not come the next morning, and Dick, for a few moments, thought it might not come at all.

The reports from Donelson were of a formidable nature, and Grant's own army was not provided for a winter campaign.