Lee heads north through town to see Ewell and find out why he did not attack Cemetery Hill that afternoon. In town, all of Lee’s men are celebrating the day’s “victory.” With tears in their eyes, they watch him pass by.
Lee meets with Ewell, Early, and Rodes. He waits to hear what happened. Ewell is nervous, chatty, awkward. It is Early who supplies Lee with the condition of their forces and other details. Ewell defers to Early, something Lee does not miss. Rodes is silent as Early coolly states that they decided to wait for reinforcements and not take the hill. All agree the hill is now being reinforced as they speak and will be very hard to take. Lee feels Jackson’s presence in the room, watching.
Ewell, led by Early, proposes that Longstreet handle the next major offensive, at the other end of the Union line. His forces have not been engaged. Longstreet could draw the enemy from Cemetery Hill, and then Early and Ewell can take it. Early derides Longstreet’s defensive strategy of going south around the Union Army.
Lee reflects on Early, the man. Longstreet can’t stand him. Lee ponders that, as well as their suggestions. His leaders have let him down. And the hill remains untaken. Lee leaves, pondering options. It is risky to withdraw so many men through the narrow mountain passes, and it is bad for morale to withdraw an army from the face of the enemy.
He returns to camp and dispatches one of Harry Gilmore’s raiders, who is familiar with the Maryland area, to find Stuart and bring him back. He meets with an angry Trimble who feels Ewell botched it. Trimble emotionally asks for reassignment. Lee sends him off to rest for the time being.
Lee is worried and wants to see Longstreet, his War Horse, but Longstreet isn’t around. Ewell comes by later, apologetic and eager to try again for Cemetery Hill. Lee is relieved, moved, nurturing. He sends the man off to rest and reflects on what losing a leg might do to a man’s resolve to fight.
Lee’s sleep is fitful because he is worried about Stuart and what to do. Saying a prayer, even for his dead opponent, Reynolds, Lee puts things out of his mind, leaves everything to God, and sleeps.
