Then, their
defeat being so severe, and they but volunteers, they scattered in the
mountains to seek food and shelter for the remainder of the winter.
This army of the South ceased to exist.
CHAPTER VII
THE MESSENGER
Victory, overwhelming and complete, had been won, but General Thomas
could not follow into the deep mountains where his army might be cut
off. So he remained where he was for a little while and on the second
day he sent for Dick.
The general was seated alone in a tent, an open end of which faced a
fire, as it was now extremely cold. General Thomas had shown no undue
elation over his victory. He was as silent as ever, and now, as always,
he made upon Dick the impression of strength and indomitable courage.
"Sit down," he said, waving his hand toward a camp stool.
Dick, after saluting, sat down in silence.
"I hear," said the general, "that you behaved very well in the battle,
and that you are a lad of courage and intelligence. Courage is common,
intelligence, real intelligence, is rare. You were at Bull Run also,
so I hear."
"I was, and the army fought well there too, but late in the day it was
seized with a sudden panic."
"Something that may happen at any time to raw troops. But we'll pass
to the question in hand. The campaign here in the mountains is ended
for this winter, but great matters are afoot further west. A courier
arrived last night stating that General Grant and Commodore Foote were
preparing to advance by water from Cairo, Illinois, and attempt the
reduction of the Confederate forts on the Cumberland and Tennessee.
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