Harry did not know what the general thought, but as for himself, although he was too young to say anything, it was incredible that Grant should retreat.  It was not at all in accordance with his character, now tested on many fields, and his resources also were too great for withdrawal.

But the night was very dark and no definite knowledge yet came out of it.  Lee stayed by his little campfire and received reports.  Far after dusk Harry saw the look of doubt disappear from his eyes, and then he began to send out messengers.  It was evident that he had formed his opinion, and intended to act upon it at once.

He beckoned to Harry and Dalton, and bade them go together with written instructions to General Anderson, who had taken the place of General Longstreet.

“You will stay with General Anderson subject to his orders,” he said, as Harry and Dalton, saluting, rode toward Anderson’s command.

Their way led through torn, tangled and burned thickets.  Sometimes a horse sprang violently to one side and neighed in pain.  His hoof had come down on earth, yet so hot that it scorched like fire.  Now and then sparks fell upon them, but they pursued their way, disregarding all obstacles, and delivered their sealed orders to General Anderson, who at once gathered up his full force, and marched away from the heart of the Wilderness toward Spottsylvania Court House.

Harry surmised that Grant was attempting some great turning movement, and Lee, divining it, was sending Anderson to meet his advance.  He never knew whether it was positive knowledge or a happy guess.

But he was quite sure that the night’s ride was one of the most singular and sinister ever made by an army.  If any troops ever marched through the infernal regions it was they.  In this part of the Wilderness the fires had been of the worst.  Trees still smoldered.  In the hollows, where the bushes had grown thickest, were great beds of coals.  The smoke which the low heavy skies kept close to the earth was thick and hot.  Gusts of wind sent showers of sparks flying, and, despite the greatest care to protect the ammunition, they marched in constant danger of explosion.

Harry thought at one time that General Anderson intended to camp in the Wilderness for the night, but he soon saw that it was impossible.  One could not camp on hot ground in a smoldering forest.

“I believe it’s a march till day,” he said to Dalton.  “It’s bound to be.  If a man were to lie down here, he’d find himself a mass of cinders in the morning, and it will take us till daylight and maybe past to get out of the Wilderness.”

“If he didn’t burn to death he’d choke to death.  I never breathed such smoke before.”

“That’s because it’s mixed with ashes and the fumes of burned gunpowder.  A villainous compound like this can’t be called air.  How long is it until dawn?”

“About three hours, I think.”