On they went, and the sound of the great guns behind them grew fainter and fainter until it faded away.
Where were they going?
Was it a raid on Washington?
Were they to hurl themselves upon Pope's rear, or was there some new army that they were to destroy?
Up swept the sun and the coolness left by the storm disappeared.

The August day began to blaze again with fierce burning heat, but there was no complaint among Jackson's men.

They knew now that they were on one of his great turning movements, on a far greater scale than any hitherto, and full of confidence, they followed in the wake of Little Sorrel.
In the daylight now Jackson had scouts and skirmishers far in front and on either flank.

They were to blaze the way for the army and they made a far out-flung line, through which no hostile scout could pass and see the marching army within.

At the close of the day they were still marching, and when the sun was setting Jackson stood by the dusty roadside and watched his men as they passed.