point the position, and to some extent the strength, of the enemy could be seen.  In the valley in which M’Dowell is situated was observed a considerable force of infantry.  To the right, on a height, were two regiments, but too distant for an effective fire to that point.  Almost a mile in front was a battery supported by infantry.  The enemy, observing a reconnoitring party, sent a small body of skirmishers, which was promptly met by the men with General Johnson and driven back.  For the purpose of securing the hill all of General Johnson’s regiments were sent to him.”

Jackson had no intention of delivering a direct assault on the Federal position.  The ground was altogether unfavourable for attack.  The hill on which his advanced guard was now established was more than two miles broad from east to west.  But it was no plateau.  Rugged and precipitous ridges towered high above the level, and numerous ravines, hidden by thick timber, seamed the surface of the spur.  To the front a slope of smooth unbroken greensward dropped sharply down; and five hundred feet below, behind a screen of woods, the Bull Pasture River ran swiftly through its narrow valley.  On the river banks were the Federals; and beyond the valley the wooded mountains, a very labyrinth of hills, rose high and higher to the west.  To the right was a deep gorge, nearly half a mile across from cliff to cliff, dividing Sitlington’s Hill from the heights to northward; and through this dangerous defile ran the turnpike, eventually debouching on a bridge which was raked by the Federal guns.  To the left the country presented exactly the same features.  Mountain after mountain, ridge after ridge, cleft by shadowy crevasses, and clothed with great tracts of forest, rolled back in tortuous masses to the backbone of the Alleghanies; a narrow pass, leading due westward, marking the route to Monterey and the Ohio River.

Although commanded by Sitlington’s Hill, the Federal position was difficult to reach.  The river, swollen by rain, protected it in front.  The bridge could only be approached by a single road, with inaccessible heights on either hand.  The village of M’Dowell was crowded with troops and guns.  A low hill five hundred yards beyond the bridge was occupied by infantry and artillery; long lines of tents were ranged on the level valley, and the hum of many voices, excited by the appearance of the enemy, was borne upwards to the heights.  Had the Confederate artillery been brought to the brow of Sitlington’s Hill, the valley would doubtless soon have become untenable, and the enemy have been compelled to retire through the mountains.  It was by no means easy, however, to prevent them from getting away unscathed.  But Jackson was not the man to leave the task untried, and to content himself with a mere cannonade.  He had reason to hope that Milroy was ignorant of his junction with General Johnson, and that he would suppose he had only the six regiments of the latter with which to deal.  The day was far spent, and the Valley brigades, toiling through the mountains, were still some miles behind.  He proposed, therefore, while his staff explored the mountains for a track which might lead him the next day to the rear of the Federal position, merely to hold his ground on Sitlington’s Hill.