It was the heaviest single-battle toll in the war thus far, but the fighting was not over. Despite stout resistance by the Yankees, Lee believed that his indomitable veterans had almost achieved victory. One more push, he thought, and “those people” would break. Lee seemed unusually excited by the supposed success of the past two days. At the same time, however, he was weakened by a bout with diarrhea and irritated by Stuart’s prolonged absence (Jeb’s tired troopers had finally rejoined the army during the day). In any case, Lee’s judgment was not at its best.
