We're strong on education and manners." "Why, George," said Pennington in the same light tone, "I could read when I was two years old, and, as for writing, I wrote a lot of text-books for the Vermont schools before I came to the war." "Shut up, you two," said Dick.

"Don't you know that this is a war and not a talking match ?" "It's not a war just now, or at least there are a few moments between battles," retorted Warner, "and the best way I can use them is in instructing our ignorant young friend from Nebraska." Their conversation was interrupted by Colonel Winchester, who ordered the regiment to move to a new point.

General Grant had decided to attack a little town called Port Gibson, which commanded the various approaches to Grand Gulf.

If he could take that he might shut up Bowen and his force in Grand Gulf.

On the other hand, if he failed he might be shut in himself by Confederate armies gathering from Jackson, Vicksburg, and elsewhere.