He was eager to get at Lee, who some said did not now have more than twenty thousand men with him, although McClellan insisted on doubling or tripling his numbers and those of Jackson.
Scouts and skirmishers came in fast now.

Yes, Lee was between the Antietam and the Potomac and they ought to strike him on the morrow.

The spirits of the Army of the Potomac continually rose.
Dick remained in a joyous mood.

He had been greatly uplifted by the return of his comrade, Warner, for whom he had formed a strong attachment, and he could not keep down the thought that they would now be able to trap Lee and end the war.

The terrible field of the Second Manassas was behind him and forgotten for the time.