He with other young staff officers witnessed the council of Lee and his leading officers in the moonlight on Seminary Ridge.

Some spoke of retreat.

A drawn battle in the enemy's country, and with an inferiority of numbers, was for them equivalent to a defeat.

Others pointed out, however, that while their losses had been enormous, the courage and spirit of the Army of Northern Virginia were unshaken.
Stuart with the cavalry, expected earlier, would certainly be up soon, and, after all, the day had not been without its gains.

Longstreet held the Peach Orchard and Ewell was in the Union defenses on the flank of Gettysburg.
But Lee thought most of the troops.