They were forbidden by general order to inquire even the names of the towns they passed through; directed to reply "I don't know" to every question; and it is said that when Jackson demanded the name and regiment of a soldier robbing a cherry-tree, he could extract from the man no reply but "I don't know." Jackson advanced with rapidity, and, on the 25th of June, was near Ashland.

Here he left his forces, and rode on rapidly to Richmond.
Passing unrecognized through the streets, after night, he went on to General Lee's headquarters, at a house on the "Nine-mile road," leading from the New Bridge road toward Fair Oaks Station; and here took place the first interview, since the commencement of the war, between Lee and Jackson.
What each thought of the other will be shown in the course of this narrative.

We shall proceed now with the history of the great series of battles for which Jackson's appearance was the signal..