Harry watched the fighting most of the time, but at other times he watched his general's face.

It was the usual impenetrable mask, but late in the afternoon Harry saw a sudden sparkle in the blue eye.
He always believed that at that moment the general divined the enemy's intentions, but the boy never had any way of knowing.
Scouts came in presently and reported that another heavy column was marching from the Rappahannock to join Hooker in the Wilderness, and now the advance of the Southern force became slower.

It was obvious to Harry that Jackson, while resolute to follow Hooker, intended to guard against all possibility of ambush.

Harry knew nothing then of the Chancellor House, but Dalton told him.
"It's a big place," he said, "standing on a heavy ridge surrounded by thick timber, and it's a natural presumption that Hooker will stop there.

From the timbered ridge his cannon can sweep every approach." Harry had no doubt that Hooker would halt at the Chancellor House.
It was incredible that a great army of brave and veteran troops should continue to retreat before a force which his scouts had surely informed Hooker was far smaller, and only a portion of the Confederate army.
It must be merely a part of some comprehensive plan, and he was confirmed in his belief by the increasing stubbornness of the defense.
There was not sufficient room on either the plank road or the pike for all the Confederate infantry, and masses were toiling through the dense thickets of bushes and briars and creeping vines.