The consternation and confusion apparently lasted only a moment. In a brief time the men formed and at the word of their leader started hastily up the road in the direction of the hiding-place of Noel and Dennis.
CHAPTER V
THE PLAN OF GENERAL LEE
In order to understand more clearly the predicament in which the two young soldiers found themselves at the close of the preceding chapter, it is necessary for us to review briefly the events which led up to that time after the second battle of Bull Run when the Union forces again were defeated. The failure of General Jackson to strike the troops of General Pope on their line of retreat had enabled the latter with his men to regain the shelter of the fortifications at Washington.
Meanwhile the Confederate commander, Lee, gave his troops rest only for a day. As has been said, he was aware that it was impossible for him at this time either to invest or to attack the lines of Washington. In spite of his success he was convinced that only two courses of action were open to him. One of these was to remain in Virginia and try to defend the capital of the Confederate States from possible attacks by his enemies, and the other plan was to cross the Potomac and enter Maryland. There he might strike, or at least threaten to strike, some of the Northern cities that were not far from the border, and prevent General McClellan from carrying out his cherished desire to attack Richmond.
Besides, General Lee was aware that, if he merely tried to defend the capital of the rebellion, it would leave his enemy with full power to assume the offensive and make attacks wherever it was decided, after the spirits of his army had been restored and the ranks once more had been filled.
There were many who believed that General Lee displayed great keenness of vision when he decided to enter Maryland with his army. Such an act on his part would enable the distressed farmers of the South to gather their crops and harvests. Especially was this true in the beautiful and fertile Valley of the Shenandoah.
In addition to these advantages, the presence of the Confederate army in Maryland would bring many recruits, it was believed, and at the same time would confuse the Northern army by the possibility of the trouble that might be created there. And every day of delay was of especial advantage to the Confederates, who were working zealously to erect and complete the fortifications of their capital.
Another thought that is said to have been in the mind of Lee was that the people of the North, if the war should be transferred to their territory, would thus obtain a more intimate knowledge of its horrors, and this personal experience would arouse a desire to bring the contest to a close. Indeed, it is said that General Lee was confident at this time that he could accomplish the end of the struggle, which now had been fiercely fought for nearly a year and a half.