From his position he could see the Confederate bluffs and a few lights
moving there, but otherwise the two armies were under a blanket of
darkness. He again felt deeply the sense of isolation and loneliness,
not for himself alone, but for the whole army. Grant had certainly shown
supreme daring in pushing far into the South, and the government at
Washington had cause for alarm lest he be reckless. If there were any
strong hand to draw together the forces of the Confederacy they could
surely crush him. But he had already learned in this war that those who
struck swift and hard were sure to win. That was Stonewall Jackson's way,
and it seemed to be Grant's way, too.

Still unable to sleep, he walked to a better position, where he could see
the shimmering dark of the river and the misty heights with their two
circles of cannon. A tall figure standing there turned at his tread and
he recognized Colonel Winchester.

"Uneasy at our position, Dick?" said the colonel, fathoming his mind at
once.

"A little, sir, but I think General Grant will pull us through."

"He will, Dick, and he'll take this fort, too. Grant's the hammer we've
been looking for. Look at his record. He's had backsets, but in the end
he's succeeded in everything he's tried. The Confederate government and
leaders have made a mess of their affairs in the West and Southwest,
and General Grant is taking full advantage of it."

"Do we attack in the morning, sir?"