would soon be attacked by a superior force, flushed with all the high
enthusiasm of victory. And lieutenant and general alike also knew that
their supreme commander, Rosecrans, was no genius like Lee or Jackson,
who could set numbers at naught, and choose time and place to suit
themselves. Only stubborn courage to fight and die could avail.

But Dick drew courage from the strong, thick figure sitting there so
impassively and apparently impervious to alarm. When he quit writing
and began to give verbal orders, he spoke in even tones, in which no
one could detect a trace of excitement. When the name, "The Rock of
Chickamauga," became general, Dick remembered that night and knew how
well it was deserved.

Thomas gave his last order and his generals went to their commands.
Dick slipped back to his regiment, and lay down, but again could not
sleep.

He waited in painful anxiety for the day. He had never before been in
such a highly nervous state, not at Shiloh, nor Stone River, nor anywhere
else. In those battles the chances were with the Union, but here they
were against it. He recognized that once more, save for Thomas, the
North had been outgeneraled. The army of Rosecrans had marched from
Chattanooga directly upon the positions chosen by Bragg, where he was
awaiting them with superior numbers. And the Confederate government in
the East had been quick enough to seize the opportunity and quick enough
to send the stalwart fighter, Longstreet, and his corps to help close
down the trap.

He wondered with many a painful throbbing of the heart what the dawn
would bring, and, unable to keep still any longer, he rose and went to