Harry felt a sinking of the heart when he saw how thin their ranks were, but the valiant colonels made no complaint.
Then he went back to General Lee, whose manner was calm in face of the storm that was so obviously impending.

The information had come that Grant and the bulk of his army were marching to the attack on the White Oak road, and, if he broke through there, nothing could save the Army of Northern Virginia.
Harry, after taking the dispatch to the Invincibles, carried orders to another regiment, while Dalton was engaged on similar errands.

It was obvious to him that Lee was gathering his men for a great effort, and his heart sank.

There was not much to gather.

Throughout all that long autumn and winter the Army of Northern Virginia had disintegrated steadily.