The eyes of the leaders at both capitals were fixed upon the greater armies of McClellan and Johnston, and Stonewall Jackson was not yet fully understood by either.

Nevertheless, the gaunt and haggard President of the North began to feel anxiety about this Confederate leader who had disappeared with his army in the mountains of Northern Virginia.
The telegraph wires were not numerous then, but they were kept busy answering the question about Jackson.

Banks and the other Union leaders in the valley sent reassuring replies.

Jackson would not dare to attack them.

They had nearly three times as many men as he, and it did not matter what had become of him.