Jackson and his army, he said, fearing the onset of overwhelming numbers, was retreating in great disorder.
The two generals were now convinced of speedy victory.

They had communicated at last, and they could have some concert of movement.
Jackson was less than thirty miles away, and his army was now but a confused mass of stragglers which would dissolve under slight impact.
Both had defeats and disappointments to avenge, and they pushed forward now with increased speed, Shields in particular showing the greatest energy in pursuit.

But the roads were still deep in mud, and his army was forced to toil on all that day and the next, while the signalmen on the top of the Massanuttons told every movement he made to Stonewall Jackson.
The signals the second evening told Jackson that the two Northern armies were advancing fast, and that he would soon have before him an enemy outnumbering him anywhere from two to three to one.

He had been talking with Ewell just before the definite news was brought, and Harry, Dalton and other officers of the staff stood near, as their duty bade them.
Harry knew the nature of the information, as it was not a secret from any member of the staff, and now they all stood silently on one side and watched Jackson.

Even Ewell offered no suggestion, but kept his eyes fixed anxiously on his chief.