There was low-toned talk among the troops. The officers were impatient and snappy,
their countenances clouded with the tales of misfortune. The troops, sifting through the
forest, were sullen. In the youth's company once a man's laugh rang out. A dozen
soldiers turned their faces quickly toward him and frowned with vague displeasure. The
noise of firing dogged their footsteps. Sometimes, it seemed to be driven a little way,
but it always returned again with increased insolence. The men muttered and cursed,
throwing black looks in its direction. In a clear space the troops were at last halted.
Regiments and brigades, broken and detached through their encounters with thickets,
grew together again and lines were faced toward the
their countenances clouded with the tales of misfortune. The troops, sifting through the
forest, were sullen. In the youth's company once a man's laugh rang out. A dozen
soldiers turned their faces quickly toward him and frowned with vague displeasure. The
noise of firing dogged their footsteps. Sometimes, it seemed to be driven a little way,
but it always returned again with increased insolence. The men muttered and cursed,
throwing black looks in its direction. In a clear space the troops were at last halted.
Regiments and brigades, broken and detached through their encounters with thickets,
grew together again and lines were faced toward the