Harry saw bits of earth and grass kicked up by the bullets, and now and then a man fell or, wounded, limped to the rear.
There was no fog here and the day had become beautiful and brilliant, as became the first morning in May.

The little white puffs of smoke arose all along the edges of the Wilderness, and, sailing above the trees and bushes, dissolved into the blue sky.

It was yet only a skirmish between the Southern vanguard and the Northern vanguard, but the riflemen increased to hundreds and they made a steady volume of sound.

Now and then the lighter guns were fired and the like replied from the thickets.
Harry gazed intently at Jackson.

Would he with his relatively small force follow Hooker into the Wilderness, despising the dangers of ambush and the possibility that his foe might turn upon him in overwhelming numbers?
Lee was with the troops elsewhere, and Jackson for the present must rely upon his own judgment.
But Jackson never hesitated.