He knew that many of them considered their forces inadequate for the siege of a fortress defended by a large army, but he felt with the sincerity of conviction also, that Grant would never withdraw.
He heard from Colonel Winchester about midnight in one of his wakeful intervals that General Grant was going down the river to see Commodore Foote.

The brave leader of the fleet had been wounded severely in the last fight with the fort, and the general wished to confer with him about the plan of operations.

But Dick heard only vaguely.

The statement made no impression upon him at that time.

Yet he was conscious that the feeling of uneasiness still pervaded the officers.