"General Gordon—you have cut through?"
"I have secured a temporary truce to report to you in person, I have fought my corps to a frazzle. The road is still blocked and I cannot move."
"What is your advice?" Lee asked.
"Your decision settles it, sir."
A courier plunged toward the group on a foaming horse.
"Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry's broken through!" he shouted. "The way's opened. The whole army can pass!"
"I don't believe it," Gordon growled.
"It's too good to be true," Taylor said.
"It's true!" Alexander exclaimed, "of course it's true!"
"You come from Longstreet?" Lee inquired.