The shivering men bent over the fires and lamented anew the discarded blankets.

Dick did not sleep an instant that terrible night.

He could not.

He, Pennington, and Warner, relieved from staff service, worked all through the cold and darkness, helping the wounded and seeking wood for the fires.

And with them always was the wise Sergeant Whitley, to whom, although inferior in rank, they turned often and willingly for guidance and advice.
"It's an awful situation," said Pennington; "I knew that war would furnish horrors, but I didn't expect anything like this." "But General Grant will never retreat," said Dick.