"Your placement of men?" Lee asked.

"Two brigades of McLaws's astride the road and to the left Next is Anderson, then Pender, Pettigrew, and Early on the left Rodes is the reserve, with one of his brigades to the right of McLaws.

"Our front is about four miles, the left extending to a bend in the creek, which again refuses the flank; the land below is marshy. It's not as dense a line as I would like, roughly one rifle per foot." "Artillery?"

"Alexander has done an excellent job," and Longstreet nodded toward his artillery chief, who was gathered with the staff over by the blacksmith shop.

"He's warned me, though, that if Hunt brings up all his reserves, it will be hard going with counter-battery. We'll have somewhere around a hundred and twenty guns on the line."

"Supplies?"

"That's the good news, sir. McLaws is overseeing the movement of captured supplies up from Westminster. I believe he sent a list up to you."

Lee nodded.

"We're moving up every captured round we can lay our hands on," Longstreet continued. "Wagons loaded with shovels and entrenching tools are getting the highest priority at the moment. There's plenty of rations as well. We can stay here for a week, fighting a pitched battle throughout and still have supplies left over. In fact we would have more supplies than we have ever had before. The Union army does have its supply system mastered."

"Have one of your people draw up a detailed map for me, then have them go over it with Walter. I want place names clearly marked so there is no confusion. Major topographical features to be shown and the placement of troops indicated.

"Copies are to then go to each division commander. Communicate to McLaws as well that I want the tightest security on Westminster. Property of civilians is to be protected and aid given to those displaced and injured. Any soldier who violates the law will be dealt with harshly, swiftly, and publicly before the citizens of that town."

Longstreet nodded in agreement

"I want a list of those civilians who died. Personal letters of regret signed by me will be sent to each of their families, along with offers of compensation. I'll not have the Northern press blame us for that tragedy or lay accusations of abuse on us."

"The Yankees started that fire, sir."

"Yes, but it is we who now hold that town."

"Yes, sir."

"I'm establishing my headquarters here. That will put me equidistant between the two wings of the army." "Sir, regarding the arrangement of troops." "Yes?"

'Two of the divisions of my corps are on the left I have units from Hill and Ewell mixed in together on the right The placement was haphazard in a way without regard to unit designations."

"You filled them in as needed," Lee replied.

"Yes, sir. There's no way to sort it out now. Its just that…" and his voice trailed off.

In the darkness he took another long sip on the mug of tea, nearly draining it

Lee sighed.

"General Longstreet though it is not official, I have decided, at least for this moment to relieve General Hill of his responsibilities without relieving him of his command."

"Sir?"

"He is sick."

Lee said nothing more, but his distaste for the origin of the illness was obvious in his tone of voice.

'For the remainder of this campaign, you shall command the right wing centered at Union Mills comprised of the divisions just described. Ewell will command the left centered on Taneytown, and Stuart will command the forces north of the Union army."

"Early might not like it" Longstreet offered.

The dislike between Longstreet and Early was a barely concealed secret. Several of the division commanders who had served under Jackson looked upon Longstreet as a slow plodder.

Lee slapped the side of the pew with an open hand. "I don't care who likes or dislikes it!" he snapped. "We are here to win this battle. Everything else, likes, dislikes, vanity, and pride, are to be left behind. If someone disagrees with that, I will hand them their discharge and they can go home. Do I make myself clear, General?" "Yes, sir."

The outburst was loud enough that the staff who had been standing at a respectful distance stiffened, hearing every word. Good, it was theatrics, but at times a general needed to resort to that

"I give you authority to relieve any division commander who does not comply with your orders"-he hesitated for a moment-"as I would relieve you as well, General Longstreet if you did not comply with mine."

"Yes, sir."

He caught the sense of surprise and even a touch of resentment in Longstreet's "Yes, sir." Good, let everyone standing in the shadows hear this exchange as well.

It was something he had realized back in Chambersburg less than a week ago. If this campaign was to be won, ultimately it would be on his shoulders whether it was indeed won or lost He must seize firm control. There could be no moment of hesitation, no questioning, no confusion. An army must have a single sense of purpose and mission, deriving from its commander clear down to the lowest mule driver or cook. If not when the crisis came, someone would shrink back and in so doing ten thousand would die for yet another hollow victory, or worse, a bitter defeat

"Then we understand each other, General?"

"Yes, sir."

"Fine then." Lee slowly stood up, indicating that the interview was finishing.

"Ewell will command the left wing of Pickett, Johnson, and Hood. Johnson's division is fought out; Hood took a rough beating as well. Therefore, Pickett will be the vanguard of maneuvers when the time comes."

"Your intentions with him, sir?"

Lee smiled. "I'll decide that in due course, and I may go with him when the time comes. The left is the element of maneuver, and you are the base of maneuver. You must hold and defeat the vast bulk of the Union army when it attacks. After that, we will flank it and force its collapse. Then Stuart will round up the remnants as they flee from us.

'They must not be allowed to reform," Lee said, with a sharp emphasis.

He said no more. He had learned something from Jackson, who was infamous for his sense of security. Ever since the lost orders before Sharpsburg, dropped by either a courier, or perhaps even a general, and recovered by a Union soldier, he was learning to be more cautious. An overheard word, a staff officer boasting in front of a civilian, upon such things battles often turned, as it had, indeed, at Sharpsburg.

"Come tomorrow," Lee said. "Now, General, a suggestion for both of us that I know my young Colonel Taylor would approve of, and that is sleep. We both need our strength for tomorrow."

Longstreet nodded in agreement

"I'll leave Alexander and Venable here to review the map with Taylor," Longstreet announced. "My headquarters will be on the lines above Union Mills."

"God be with you, General," Lee said.

The two saluted and Longstreet disappeared into the shadows.

Walter came up and Lee quickly reviewed what needed to be done. "I'm sorry, Walter; I know you are even more weary man I."

Walter smiled. "Sir, to be frank, and no disrespect intended, but I am half your age. All of us wish that you would just get some sleep."

Lee nodded; again the weariness.

Without comment he retired to the privacy of his tent His cot was already set up within. He removed his jacket and hat and sat down on the cot with a muffled groan. He tried to struggle with his boots but then gave up, not wishing to call for someone to help. Slipping off the cot he knelt offering his evening prayer, thinking of his boy in a Union prison, his wife in Richmond, his daughter lost and in the warm clay of North Carolina, and all the boys he had seen fall this day, July 3,1863.

Did I do the right thing today? he thought Dear God, I hope so. It could have been more, far more, but then I must know it could have been different, an ending of dreams rather than a hope that it might soon end in victory.