The Confederates were scattered widely, and the fateful Orders No.

191 might cause their total destruction, but they were on guard, nevertheless.
Jackson, foreseeing the possible advance of McClellan, had sent back Hill with a division to help Lee, and to delay the Northern army until he himself should come with all his force.
In this desperate crisis of the Confederacy, more desperate than any of the Southern generals yet realized, the brain under the old slouch hat never worked with more precision, clearness and brilliancy.

He would not only do his own task, but he would help his chief while doing it.

When McClellan began his march after a delay of a day he was nearer to Lee than Jackson was and every chance was his, save those that lightning perception and unyielding courage win.
The lads heard the mutter of the cannon grow louder, and rise to a distant thunder.

Far ahead of them, where high hills thick with forest rose, they saw smoke and flashes of fire.