Only a single road by which troops could pass crossed the Massanuttons, and that road was held by the cavalry of Ashby.
"If Banks comes one way and he proves too strong for us we can cross over to the other," said Sherburne.

"If he divides his force, marching into both valleys, we may beat one part of his army, then pass the mountain and beat the other." Sherburne had divined aright.

It was the mighty mass of the Massanuttons that weighed upon Banks.

As he looked up at the dark ridges and misty crests his mind was torn by doubts.

His own forces, great in number though they were, were scattered.