Now in the morning they were looking eagerly southward, hoping to see Jackson's gray legions driving the enemy before him.

But it was yet scarcely full dawn, and for a while they heard nothing.
Jackson waited a little and scanned the field again.

The morning had now come in the west as well as in the east, and he saw the strong Northern artillery posted on both sides of the turnpike, threatening the Southern advance.
"We must open with the cannon," he said, and he dispatched Harry and Dalton to order up the guns.
The Southern batteries were pushed forward, and opened with a terrific crash on their enemy, telling the waiting people in Winchester that the battle had begun.

The infantry and cavalry on either side, eager despite their immense exertions and loss of rest and lack of food, were held back by their officers, while the artillery combat went on.
Jackson, anxious to see the result, rode a little further forward, and the group of staff officers, of course, went with him.

Some keen-eyed Northern gunner picked them out, and a shell fell near.