Before he reached Mount Solon Jackson had instructed Ewell to call up Branch’s brigade from Gordonsville.  He intended to follow Banks with the whole force at his disposal, and in these dispositions Lee had acquiesced.  Johnston, however, now at Richmond, had once more resumed charge of the detached forces, and a good deal of confusion ensued.  Lee, intent on threatening Washington, was of opinion that Banks should be attacked.  Johnston, although at first he favoured such a movement, does not appear to have realised the effect that might be produced by an advance to the Potomac.  Information had been received that Banks was constructing intrenchments at Strasburg, and Johnston changed his mind.  He thought the attack too hazardous, and Ewell was directed to cross the Blue Ridge and march eastward, while Jackson “observed” Banks.

These orders placed Ewell in a dilemma.  Under instructions from Lee he was to remain with Jackson.  Under instructions from Jackson he was already moving on Luray.  Johnston’s orders changed his destination.  Taking horse in haste he rode across the Valley from Swift Run Gap to Jackson’s camp at Mount Solon.  Jackson at once telegraphed to Lee:  “I am of opinion that an attempt should be made to defeat Banks, but under instructions from General Johnston I do not feel at liberty to make an attack.  Please answer by telegraph at once.”  To Ewell he gave orders that he should suspend his movement until a reply was received.  “As you are in the Valley district,” he wrote, “you constitute part of my command...You will please move so as to encamp between New Market and Mount Jackson on next Wednesday night, unless you receive orders from a superior officer and of a date subsequent to the 16th instant.”

This order was written at Ewell’s own suggestion.  It was for this he had ridden through the night to Jackson’s camp.

(Map.  Situation, may 18, 1862.  Showing West:  McDowell, North:  Martinsburg, South:  Richmond, East:  West Point.)

May 18.

Lee’s reply was satisfactory.  Johnston had already summoned Branch to Richmond, but Ewell was to remain; and the next morning, May 18, the Confederates moved forward down the Valley.  The two days’ rest which had been granted to Jackson’s troops had fallen at a useful time.  They had marches to look back on which had tried their endurance to the utmost.  In three days, before and after Kernstown, they had covered fifty-six miles, and had fought a severe engagement.  The struggle with the mud on the Port Republic was only surpassed by the hardships of the march to Romney.  From Elk Run to Franklin, and from Franklin to Mount Solon, is just two hundred miles, and these they had traversed in eighteen days.  But the exertions which had been then demanded from them were trifling in comparison with those which were to come.  From Mount Solon to Winchester is eighty miles by the Valley pike; to Harper’s Ferry one hundred and ten miles.  And Jackson had determined that before many days had passed the Confederate colours should be carried in triumph through the streets of Winchester, and that the gleam of his camp-fires should be reflected in the waters of the Potomac.