The Star of Gettysburg: A Story of Southern High TideAltsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)
History
The Star of Gettysburg: A Story of Southern High Tide
Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Juvenile fiction
"Ah, well, we'll not accuse each other while the issue still hangs in
doubt. Progress with the game will show that I am right."
When Harry passed that way an hour later they were still bent over the
board, the best of friends again, but no more losses had been suffered
by either.
May was almost spent and spring was at the full. The Southern army
was now at its highest point in both numbers and effectiveness. Only
Jackson was gone, but he was a host and more, and when Lee said that
he had lost his right arm, he spoke the truth, as he was soon to find.
Yet the Southern power was at the zenith and no shadow hung over the
veteran and devoted troops who were eager to follow Lee in that invasion
of the North of which all now felt sure.
Doubts were dispelled with the close of May. Harry was one of the young
officers who carried the commander-in-chief's orders to the subordinate
generals, and while he knew details, he wondered what the main plan
would be. Young as he was he knew that no passage could be forced
across the Rappahannock in the face of the Army of the Potomac, which
was now as numerous as ever, and which could sweep the river and its
shores with its magnificent artillery. But he had full confidence in
Lee. The spell that Jackson had thrown over him was transferred to Lee,
who swayed his feelings and judgment with equal power.
The figure of Lee in the height and fullness of victory was imposing.
An English general who saw him, and who also saw all the famous men of
his time, wrote long afterward that he was the only great man he had
ever seen who looked all his greatness. Tall, strongly built, with
thick gray hair, a short gray beard, clipped closely, ruddy complexion
and blue eyes, he was as careful in dress as Jackson had been careless.
He spoke with a uniform politeness, not superficial, but from the heart,
and his glance was nearly always grave and benevolent.
General Lee in these warm days of late spring occupied a large tent.
Even when the army was not on the march he invariably preferred tents to
houses, and now Harry saw nearly all the famous Southern generals in the
east passing through that door. There was Longstreet, blue of eye like
Lee, full bearded, thick and powerful, and proud of his horsemanship,
in which he excelled.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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