Sherburne's cavalry were to ride just behind them, and he dispatched Harry and Dalton with the captain.

At the first sound of the firing the whole army would rush upon Front Royal.
The skirmishers, five hundred strong, pressed forward through the wood.
They were sun-browned, eager fellows, every one carrying a rifle, and all sharpshooters.
It seemed to Harry that the skirmishers were through the wood in an instant, like a force of Indians bursting from ambush upon an unsuspecting foe.

The Northern pickets were driven in like leaves before a whirlwind.

The rattle and then the crash of rifles beat upon the ears, and the Southern horsemen were galloping through the streets of the startled village by the time the Northern commander, posted with his main force just behind the town, knew that Jackson had emerged from the wilderness and was upon him.

Banks not dreaming of Jackson's nearness, had taken away Kenly's cavalry, and there were only pickets to see.
The Northern commander was brave and capable.