Jackson had too few men to do any harm, wherever he might be.
Nobody suspected that at dawn Jackson, with a strong force, would be only a little more than three score miles from the Union capital itself.
Even Banks himself, who was only half that distance from the Southern army, did not dream that it was coming.
When the sun swung clear that May morning there was a great elation in this army which had been lost to its enemies for days and which the unknowing despised.

They ate a good breakfast, and then, as the Creole band began to play its waltzes again, they advanced swiftly on Front Royal.
"We'll be attacking in two hours," said Dalton.
"In less time than that, I'm thinking," said Harry.

"Look how the men are speeding it up!" The band ceased suddenly.

Harry surmised that it had been stopped, in order to suppress noise as much as possible, now that they were approaching the enemy.

Cheering and loud talking also were stopped, and they heard now the heavy beat of footsteps, horses and men, and the rumble of vehicles, cannon and wagons.