3.  Fremont, if he got warning of Jackson’s purpose, might have reinforced Milroy, occupied a strong position, and requested Banks to threaten or attack the Confederates in rear.

4.  Fremont might have withdrawn his advanced brigade, and have reinforced Banks from Moorefield.

5.  Banks might have been reinforced by Blenker, of whose whereabouts Jackson was uncertain.

6.  Banks might have marched to join McDowell at Fredericksburg.

7.  McClellan might have pressed Johnston so closely that a decisive battle could not have been long delayed.

8.  McDowell might have marched on Richmond, intervening between the Valley army and the capital.

Such an array of possibilities would have justified a passive attitude on Elk Run.  A calculation of the chances, however, showed Jackson that the dangers of action were illusory.  “Never take counsel of your fears,” was a maxim often on his lips.  Unlike many others, he first made up his mind what he wanted to do, and then, and not till then, did he consider what his opponents might do to thwart him.  To seize the initiative was his chief preoccupation, and in this case it did not seem difficult to do so.  He knew that Banks was unenterprising.  It was improbable that McDowell would advance until McClellan was near Richmond, and McClellan was very slow.  To prevent Fremont getting an inkling of his design in time to cross it was not impossible, and Lincoln’s anxiety for Washington might be relied on to keep Banks in the Valley.

It is true that Jackson’s force was very small.  But the manifestation of military genius is not affected by numbers.  The handling of masses is a mechanical art, of which knowledge and experience are the key; but it is the manner in which the grand principles of war are applied which marks the great leader, and these principles may be applied as resolutely and effectively with 10,000 men as with 100,000.

“In meditation,” says Bacon, “all dangers should be seen; in execution none, unless they are very formidable.”  It was on this precept that Jackson acted.  Not a single one of his manoeuvres but was based on a close and judicial survey of the situation.  Every risk was weighed.  Nothing was left to chance.  “There was never a commander,” says his chief of the staff, “whose foresight was more complete.  Nothing emerged which had not been considered before in his mind; no possibility was overlooked; he was never surprised."* (* Dabney volume 1 page 76.) The character of his opponent, the morale of the hostile troops, the nature of the ground, and the manner in which physical features could be turned to account, were all matters of the most careful consideration.  He was a constant student of the map, and his topographical engineer was one of the most important officers on his staff.  “It could readily be seen,” writes Major Hotchkiss, “that in the preparations he made for securing success he had fully in mind what Napoleon