something in the air of the
Wilderness; they knew not what it was, but it was there.

Lee and Jackson sat opposite each other, the one on a box, the other on
a great fallen tree. On the earth between them lay an unrolled map, and
now one took it up and pondered it, and now the other, and now they
spoke together in quiet, low voices, their eyes on the map at their feet
in the red light. Lee spoke. "I went myself and looked upon their left.
It is very strong. An assault upon their centre? Well-nigh impossible! I
sent Major Talcott and Captain Boswell again to reconnoitre. They report
the front fairly impregnable, and I agree with them that it is so. The
right--Here is General Stuart, now, to tell us something of that!"

In fighting jacket and plume Jeb Stuart came into the light. He saluted.
"General Lee, their right rests on the Brock road, and the Brock road is
as clean of defences as if gunpowder had never been invented, nor
breastworks thought of!" He knelt and took up the map. "Here, sir, is
Hunting Creek, and here Dowdall's Tavern and the Wilderness church, and
here, through the deep woods, runs the old Furnace road, intersecting
with the Brock road--"

Lee and his great lieutenant looked and nodded, listening to his further
report. "Thank you, General Stuart," said at last the commander-in-chief.
"You bring news upon which I think we may act. A flanking movement by the
Furnace and Brock roads. It must be made with secrecy and in great strength
and with rapidity. General Jackson, will you do it?"

"Yes, sir. Turn his right and gain his rear. I shall have my entire
command?"

"Yes, general. Generals McLaws and Anderson will remain with me,
demonstrate against these people and divert their attention. When can
you start?"

"I will start at four, sir."

Lee rose. "Very good! Then we had better try to get a little sleep. I
see Tom spreading my blanket now.--The Wilderness! General, do you
remember, in Mexico, the _Noche Triste_ trees and their great scarlet
flowers? They grew all about the Church of our Lady of Remedies.--I
don't know why I think of them to-night.--Good-night! good-night!"

A round of barren ground, towered over by pines, hedged in by the
all-prevailing oak scrub, made the headquarters of the commander of the
2d Corps. Jim had built a fire, for the night wind was strengthening,
blowing cool. He had not spared the pine boughs. The flames leaped and
made the place ruddy as a jewel. Jackson entere