“Where is Dan?” was my first question.
“I don’t know, Nell,” he answered. “But I know he’s alive and well and will be along in a few days.”
That was all the comfort I got from any friends returning from the field.
A little later there was a grand review of Federal troops in Richmond, and I remember how well-clad and sleek they were and how new and glittering were their arms. Good boots, good hats, a whole suit of clothes to every man—a long, bright, prosperous-looking procession. On the sidewalk a poor Confederate in rags and bootless, stood looking wistfully on.
The next day I heard that General Rooney Lee had arrived, and I went to see him. I was shown up to his mother’s room, and she told me that he had not come, but was hourly expected. When I called the next day I met him and Miss Mildred Lee in the door. They were going out, but the general stepped back with me into the hall.
“I came to see if you could tell me anything about Dan, general.”
“Mrs. Grey,” he said, “you know Dan as well as I do. He isn’t whipped yet. I told him it was all foolishness, and that the war was over, but he wouldn’t surrender with me, and is going through to Johnston’s army. But he will have to come back, and he will be here soon, I think. Johnston’s army has surrendered.”
“You think then that nothing has happened to him, general?”
“Oh, no. I am sure of that.”
General Lee dropped his voice.