Once more
he appreciated the immense value of the rivers and the fleet to the
North.
He and the two lads who were now knitted to him by sympathy, and
hardships and dangers shared, enjoyed their stay in Nashville. It was
pleasant to sleep once more in houses and to be sheltered from rain
and frost and snow. It was pleasant, too, for these youths, who were
devoted to the Union, to think that their armies had made such progress
in the west. The silent and inflexible Grant had struck the first great
blow for the North. The immense Confederate line in the west was driven
far southward, and the capital of one of the most vigorous of the
secessionist states was now held by the Union.
But a little later, news not so pleasant came to them. The energy and
success of Grant had aroused jealousy. Halleck, his superior, the
general of books and maps at St. Louis, said that he had transcended
the limits of his command. He was infringing upon territory of other
Northern generals. Halleck had not found him to be the yielding
subordinate who would win successes and let others have the credit.
Grant was practically relieved of his command, and when Dick heard it
he felt a throb of rage. Boy as he was, he knew that what had been won
must be held. Johnston had stopped at Murfreesborough, thirty or forty
miles away. His troops had recovered from their panic, caused by the
fall of Donelson. Fresh regiments and brigades were joining him.
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