Banks, the Union leader, eminent through politics rather than war, having been Governor of Massachusetts, showed the utmost caution.

Feeling secure in his numbers he resolved to risk nothing until he gained his main object--Winchester--and the efforts of Turner Ashby and his brilliant young lieutenants like Sherburne, could not lead him into any trap.
Night came and the Southern army stopped for supper and rest.

The Northern army was then only four miles from Winchester, and within a half hour hostile pickets had been firing at one another.

Yet the men ate calmly and lay down under the trees.

Jackson called a council in a little grove.