The farm lads of the west and northwest had talked much over their fires.

They had eaten good suppers, and by and by they fell asleep.

But many of the officers still sat by the coals and discussed the march against the Southern army at Corinth, when the men of Buell should join those of Grant.

The pickets, although the gaps yet remained between those of the different brigades, walked back and forth and wondered at the gloom and intensity of the woods in front of them, but did not dream of that which lay in the heart of the darkness.
The Southern generals in the ravine lingered yet a little longer.

A diagram had been drawn upon a piece of paper.