Colonel Patton reminded him that his brigade was a small one, and that the country between Cross Keys and the Shenandoah offered few advantages for protracting such manoeuvres.  He desired, therefore, to know for how long he would be expected to hold the enemy in check.  Jackson replied, “By the blessing of Providence, I hope to be back by ten o’clock."* (* Southern Historical Society Papers volume 9 page 372.)

These interviews were not the only business which occupied the commanding general.  He arranged for the feeding of his troops before their march next day,* (* Rations appear to have been short, for General Ewell reports that when he marched against Shields the next day many of his men had been without food for four-and-twenty hours.) for the dispositions of his trains and ammunition waggons; and at the rising of the moon, which occurred about midnight, he was seen on the banks of the South River, superintending the construction of a bridge to carry his infantry dryshod across the stream.

An hour before daybreak he was roused from his short slumbers.  Major Imboden, who was in charge of a mule battery,* (* The mule battery does not appear to have done much more than afford the Confederate soldiers an opportunity of airing their wit.  With the air of men anxiously seeking for information they would ask the gunners whether the mule or the gun was intended to go off first? and whether the gun was to fire the mule or the mule the gun?) looking for one of the staff, entered by mistake the general’s room.

“I opened the door softly, and discovered Jackson lying on his face across the bed, fully dressed, with sword, sash, and boots all on.  The low-burnt tallow-candle on the table shed a dim light, yet enough by which to recognise him.  I endeavoured to withdraw without waking him.  He turned over, sat upon the bed, and called out, “Who is that?”

“He checked my apology with, “That is all right.  It’s time to be up.  I am glad to see you.  Were the men all up as you came through camp?”

“"Yes, General, and cooking.”

“"That’s right; we move at daybreak.  Sit down.  I want to talk to you.”

“I had learned never to ask him questions about his plans, for he would never answer such to anyone.  I therefore waited for him to speak first.  He referred very feelingly to Ashby’s death, and spoke of it as an irreparable loss.  When he paused I said, “General, you made a glorious winding-up of your four weeks with yesterday.”  He replied, “Yes, God blessed our army again yesterday, and I hope with His protection and blessing we shall do still better to-day.""* (* Battles and Leaders volume 2 page 293.) Then followed instructions as to the use of the mule battery in the forests through which lay Shields’ line of advance.

Before 5 A.M. the next morning the Stonewall Brigade had assembled in Port Republic, and was immediately ordered to advance.  On the plain beyond, still dark in the shadow of the mountains, where the cavalry formed the outposts, the fire of the pickets, which had been incessant throughout the night, was increasing in intensity.  The Federals were making ready for battle.