The Federal force posted here, at the eastern opening of the Gap, was small, and wholly inadequate for the purpose; but this was as yet unknown to General Lee.

His anxiety under these circumstances must have been great.
Jackson might be crushed before his arrival.

He rode up to the summit of the commanding hill which rises just west of the Gap, and dismounting directed his field-glass toward the shaggy defile in front.
[Footnote 1: "Not knowing at the time where was the enemy."-- _General Porter_.] and undecided what course to pursue.
[Illustration: Lee Reconnoitring at Throughfare Gap.] The writer of these pages chanced to be near the Confederate commander at this moment, and was vividly impressed by the air of unmoved calmness which marked his countenance and demeanor.

Nothing in the expression of his face, and no hurried movement, indicated excitement or anxiety.

Here, as on many other occasions, Lee impressed the writer as an individual gifted with the most surprising faculty of remaining cool and unaffected in the midst of circumstances calculated to arouse the most phlegmatic.