"We have been cut off in these mountains," he said. "I know very little
of what is going on, but what you say only confirms my own opinion.
The war is rapidly spreading over a much greater area, and I believe
that its scope will far exceed any of our earlier calculations."
A grave and rather sad expression occupied for a moment the mobile face.
He interested Dick greatly. He seemed to him scholar and thinker as
well as soldier. He and Warner long afterward attended the inauguration
of this man as President of the United States.
After a brief rest, and good wishes from Garfield, Major Hertford and
his command soon reached the main camp under Thomas. Here they were
received by a man very different in appearance and manner from Garfield.
General George H. Thomas, who was to receive the famous title, "The Rock
of Chickamauga," was then in middle years. Heavily built and bearded,
he was chary of words. He merely nodded approval when Major Hertford
told of their march.
"I will assign your troops to a brigade," he said, "and I don't think
you'll have long to wait. We're expecting a battle in a few days with
Crittenden and Zollicoffer."
"Not much to say," remarked Dick to Warner, as they went away.
"That's true," said Warner, thoughtfully, "but didn't you get an
impression of strength from his very silence? I should say that in his
make-up he is five per cent talk, twenty-five per cent patience and
seventy per cent action; total, one hundred per cent.
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