CHAPTER VII.
GENERAL RETREAT OF THE ENEMY--CRITICISMS OF DISTINGUISHED CONFEDERATE OFFICERS.
Lee was greatly dispirited at Pickett's failure, but worked with untiring energy to repair the disaster.
There was an interval of full a mile between Hill and Longstreet, and the plain was swarming with fugitives making their way back in disorder.

He hastened to get ready to resist the counter-charge, which he thought was inevitable, and to plant batteries behind which the fugitives could rally.

He also made great personal exertions to reassure and reassemble the detachments that came in.
He did not for a moment imagine that Meade would fail to take advantage of this golden opportunity to crush the Army of Virginia and end the war.
The most distinguished rebel officers admit the great danger they were in at this time, and express their surprise that they were not followed up.
The fact is, Meade had no idea of leaving the ridge.

I conversed the next morning with a corps commander who had just left him.

He said: "Meade says he thinks he can hold out for part of another day here, if they attack him." This language satisfied me that Meade would not go forward if he could avoid it, and would not impede in any way the rebel retreat across the Potomac.