The Shades of the Wilderness

Book Excerpt: ...ng lest he might be regarded as thrusting himself into a company so much his superior in rank, but Lee saw him and beckoned to him."I sent you back toward Gettysburg to report on our withdrawal, Lieutenant Kenton," he said."Yes, sir. I returned all the way to the field. The last of our troops should be leaving there just about now. The Northern army had made no preparation for immediate pursuit.""Your report agrees with all the others that I have received. How long have you been without sleep?""I don't know, sir," he said at last. "I can't remember. Maybe it has been two or three days."Stuart, who held a cup of coffee in his hand, laughed. "The times have been such that there are generals as well as lieutenants," he said, "who can't remember when they've slept.""You're exhausted, my lad," said Lee gravely and kindly, "and there's nothing more you can do for us just now. Take some breakfast with us, and then you must sleep in one of the wagons. An orderly will lo...