of his meditations was at last out.  Banks was afraid of being thought afraid.  I rose to take my leave, replying, ’This, sir, is not a military reason for occupying a false position.’  It was eleven o’clock at night when I left him.  As I returned through the town I could not perceive that anybody was troubled with anticipation for the morrow.  The antlers were driving sharp bargains with those who had escaped from or those who were not amenable to military discipline.  The strolling players were moving crowds to noisy laughter in their canvas booths, through which the lights gleamed and the music sounded with startling shrillness.  I thought as I turned towards my camp, how unaware are all of the drama Jackson is preparing for us, and what merriment the morning will reveal!”

Fortunately for his own battalions, the brigadier had his camp equipage and baggage packed and sent off then and there to Winchester, and though his men had to spend the night unsheltered under persistent rain, they had reason to bless his foresight a few nights later.

At midnight a report was received from one of the Front Royal fugitives:  “Kenly is killed.  First Maryland cut to pieces.  Cavalry ditto.  The enemy’s forces are 15,000 or 20,000 strong, and on the march to Strasburg.”

In forwarding this despatch to Washington Banks remarked that he thought it much exaggerated.  At 7 A.M. on the 24th he told Stanton that the enemy’s force was from 6000 to 10,000; that it was probably Ewell’s division, and that Jackson was still in his front on the Valley turnpike.

Three hours later he wrote to Gordon, informing him that the enemy had fallen back to Front Royal during the night, that ample reinforcements had been promised from Washington, and that the division would remain in Strasburg until further orders.

Up to this time he had been convinced that the attack on Front Royal was merely a raid, and that Jackson would never dare to insert his whole force between himself and McDowell.* (* Article in Harper’s Weekly by Colonel Strother, aide-de-camp to General Banks.) Suddenly, by what means we are not told, he was made aware that the Confederates were in overwhelming numbers, and that Jackson was in command.

Scarcely had General Gordon digested the previous communication when an orderly, galloping furiously to his side, delivered a pencil note from the chief of staff.  “Orders have just been received for the division to move at once to Middletown, taking such steps to oppose the enemy, reported to be on the road between Front Royal and Middletown, as may seem proper.”  Banks was electrified at last.  Three weeks previously, in writing to Mr. Stanton, he had expressed his regret that he was “not to be included in active operations during the summer.”  His regret was wasted.  He was about to take part in operations of which the activity, on his part at least, was more than satisfying.