He knew that Jackson now felt that the council had been too slow and too timid.

Henceforth he would be the sole judge of attack and retreat.

But the general's emotion was quickly suppressed.
Taking a last look at the little city that he loved so well, he rode rapidly away, and his staff followed closely at his heels.
That was a busy and melancholy night.

The young troops, after all, were not to fight the enemy, but were falling back.

Youth takes less account than age of odds, and they did not wish to retreat.