In this sentence from the second paragraph of the passage, the phrase clothing the base of the mountain is used a) to suggest that the mountain forest is impenetrable. ) to suggest that the trees looked like clothes on the b) mountain to provide directions for the path through the mountain forest. c) to describe the way that the trees surrounded the d) base of the mountain.

To describe the way that the trees surrounded the base of the mountain.

lee and grant, both of whom held the highest rank in their respective armies, had known each other slightly during the mexican-american war (1846-48) and began their dialogue by exchanging awkward personal inquiries. characteristically, grant had arrived in his mud-splattered field uniform while lee had turned out in full dress attire, complete with sash and sword.

explanation: