of Gordonsville.  Neither scout, spy, nor patrol was able to penetrate the cordon of Munford’s outposts.  Beyond his pickets, strongly posted at New Market and Conrad’s Store, all was dim and dark.  Had Jackson halted, awaiting reinforcements?  Was he already in motion, marching swiftly and secretly against some isolated garrison?  Was he planning another dash on Washington, this time with a larger army at his back?  Would his advance be east or west of the Blue Ridge, across the sources of the Rappahannock, or through the Alleghanies?  Had he 15,000 men or 50,000?

Such were the questions which obtruded themselves on the Federal generals, and not one could give a satisfactory reply.  That a blow was preparing, and that it would fall where it was least expected, all men knew.  “We have a determined and enterprising enemy to contend with,” wrote one of Lincoln’s generals.  “Jackson,” said another, “marches thirty miles a day.”  The successive surprises of the Valley campaign had left their mark; and the correspondence preserved in the Official Records is in itself the highest tribute to Jackson’s skill.  He had gained something more than the respect of his enemies.  He had brought them to fear his name, and from the Potomac to the Rappahannock uncertainty and apprehension reigned supreme.  Not a patrol was sent out which did not expect to meet the Confederate columns, pressing swiftly northward; not a general along the whole line, from Romney to Fredericksburg, who did not tremble for his own security.

There was sore trouble on the Shenandoah.  The disasters of M’Dowell and Front Royal had taught the Federal officers that when the Valley army was reported to be sixty miles distant, it was probably deploying in the nearest forest; and with the rout of Winchester still fresh in their memories they knew that pursuit would be as vigorous as attack would be sudden.  The air was full of rumours, each more alarming than its predecessor, and all of them contradictory.  The reports of the cavalry, of spies, of prisoners, of deserters, of escaped negroes, told each a different story.

Jackson, it was at first reported, had been reinforced to the number of 35,000 men.* (* The telegrams and letters containing the reports quoted on pages 399-400 are to be found in O.R. volume 11 part 3 and volume 12 part 3.) A few days later his army had swelled to 60,000 with 70 guns, and he was rebuilding the bridge at Port Republic in order to follow Fremont.  On June 13 he was believed to be moving through Charlottesville against one or other of McDowell’s divisions.  “He was either going against Shields at Luray, or King at Catlett’s, or Doubleday at Fredericksburg, or going to Richmond.”  On the 16th it was absolutely certain that he was within striking distance of Front Royal.  On the 18th he had gone to Richmond, but Ewell was still in the Valley with 40,000 men.  On the 19th Banks had no doubt but that another immediate movement down the Valley was intended “with 80,000