"But could the Revolution have succeeded without the South?"
"Certainly not. The South really bore the brunt of the war. New England suffered very little. New York suffered; so did Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but nothing in comparison with South Carolina, which was in reality no more than a conquered province for years, and yet held faithful to the cause of the colonies. And it was the eventual success of the Southern arms that caused the surrender of Cornwallis. The North is very ungrateful to us."
"With Great Britain and America under one government, we should have been a very powerful nation," said I, musingly.
"And this war never would have been possible. Our slaves would have been freed wisely, and we should have been paid for them. England and America could have controlled the world in peace; but here we are, diligently engaged in killing one another."
"Captain, I think our men are in better spirits than ever before."
"That is very true, Jones. They are full of hope and courage. I have hope also, but I see no quick ending to this war."
"I don't believe this army can be defeated," said I.
"It cannot. It may suffer great losses, and be forced to retreat,--indeed, I think that consequence a natural inference from the situation,--but it cannot be badly defeated; it cannot be disorganized. It would take months to overcome it."
"Then you really believe that we shall retreat?"
"Yes; I believe we shall fight, and we shall fight hard, and have losses, but the enemy will be very cautious of attack, and those of us who are able to march shall see Virginia again."