"Walter Jon Williams - No Spot of Ground" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

"When you hear the battle start," Sorrel said, "you might consider making a demonstration against
Hancock. Keep him interested in what's happening on his front."

Poe looked up sharply. "One division," he said, "against the Yankee Second Corps? Didn't we have
enough of that at Gettysburg?"

"A demonstration, General, not a battle." Politely. "General Anderson has also put under your command
the two brigades that are holding the center, should you require them."

"Whose?"

"Gregg's Brigade, and Law's Alabamans."



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 No Spot of Ground

Poe's mind worked through this. "Are Gregg and Law aware they are under my orders?"

"I presume so."

"Presume," Poe echoed. There was too much presuming in this war. He took off his spectacles and put
them in his pocket. "Colonel Sorrel," he said, "would you do me the inestimable favor of riding to Gregg
and Law tonight and telling them of this? I fear the staff work may not have caught up with General
Anderson's good intent."

Sorrel paused, then gave a resigned shrug. "Very well, General. If you desire it."

"Thank you, Colonel." His small triumph made Poe genial. "I believe I have been remiss. I remember
promising you cider."

"Yes. A glass would be delightful, thank you."

They sat at the folding table, and Poe called for Sextus to serve. He opened a tin box and offered it to
Sorrel. "I have some of Dr. Graham's dietary biscuits, if you desire."

"Thank you, sir. If I may put some in my pockets for later"┬ж?"

"Make free of them, sir."

Sorrel, possessing by now an old soldier's reflexes, loaded his pockets with biscuits and then took a
hearty swallow of the cider. Sextus refilled his glass.

"General Pickett's campaign south of the James," Sorrel said, "has been much appreciated here."

"The form of appreciation preferable to us would have been reinforcements from General Lee."

"We were, ah, tangled up with Grant at the time, sir."