The men in blue occupied a wide stretch of grassy fields on the east, and on the west a low hill, with a small grove growing on the crest.

Dominating the whole were the lofty cliffs of North Mountain on the west.

The main force of the North, strengthened with cannon, lay to the east of the turnpike.

But on the hill to the west were two strong batteries and near it were lines of skirmishers.
Shields, a veteran of the Mexican war himself, was not present at this moment, but Kimball, commanding in his absence, was alert and did not share the general belief that Stonewall Jackson might be considered non-existent.
Harry, things coming into better view, the longer he looked, saw much of the Union position, and Turner Ashby presently handed him the glasses.
Then he plainly discerned the guns and a great mass of infantry, with the colors waving above them in the gentle breeze.
"They're there," said Turner Ashby, dryly.

"If we want to attack they're waiting." Harry rode back to Jackson, and told him that the whole Union force was in position in front, and then the boy knew at once that a battle was coming.