There was no reply and neither of the boys, although they strained ears, could hear anything in the defeated camp.
"I shouldn't be surprised if we found them gone in the morning," said Major Hertford to Dick.

"But I think our general is right in not making any attack upon their works.

What do you say to that, Sergeant Whitley?
You've had a lot of experience." Sergeant Whitley was standing beside them, also trying to pierce the darkness with trained eyes, although he could not see the Confederate intrenchments.
"If a sergeant may offer an opinion I agree with you fully, sir," he said.

"A night attack is always risky, an' most of all, sir, when troops are new like ours, although they're as brave as anybody.

More'n likely if we was to rush on 'em our troops would be shootin' into one another in the darkness." "Good logic," said Major Hertford, "and as it is quite certain that they are not in any condition to come out and attack us we'll stand by and wait till morning.