Johnston, although he had laid the remarkable ambush, and was expecting victory, was grave, even gloomy.
But Beauregard, volatile and sanguine, rejoiced.

For him the triumph was won already.

After their great achievement in placing their army, unseen and unknown, within cannon shot of the Union force, failure was to him impossible.
Breckinridge, like his chief, Johnston, was also grave and did not say much.

Hardee, as became one of his severe military training, discussed the details, the placing of the brigades and the time of attack by each.
Polk, the bishop-general, and Bragg, also had their part.
As they talked in low tones they moved the men over their chessboard.
Now and then an aide was summoned, and soon departed swiftly and in silence to move a battery or a regiment a little closer to the Union lines, but always he carried the injunction that no noise be made.

Not a sound that could be heard three hundred yards away came from all that great army, lying there in the deep woods and poised for its spring.
Meanwhile security reigned in the Union camp.