The march would be a tremendous one, the danger of thus venturing into the heart of the enemy's country immense, but the results of such an expedition would, if successful, be great; for Lee himself was to advance with his army on Pope's flank, and there was therefore a possibility of the utter defeat of that general before he could be joined by the army marching to re-enforce him from Fredericksburg.
It was on Monday, the 25th of August, that Jackson started on his march, ascending the banks of the Rapahannock, and crossed the river at the ford, dragging his artillery with difficulty up the narrow and rocky road beyond.

There was not a moment to be lost, for if the news reached the enemy the gorge known as Thoroughfare Gap would be occupied, and the whole object of the movement would be defeated.

Onward the force pushed, pressing on through fields and lanes without a single halt, until at night, hungry and weary but full of spirit, they marched into the little town of Salem, twenty miles from their starting place.

They had neither wagons nor provisions with them, and had nothing to eat but some ears of corn and green apples plucked on the road.
It was midnight when they reached Salem, and the inhabitants turned out in blank amazement at the sight of Confederate troops in that region, and welcomed the weary soldiers with the warmest manifestations.

At daylight they were again upon the march, with Stuart's cavalry, as before, out upon each flank.