Acting promptly, as he usually did, General Lee now decided to divide his army and reunite the divisions west of the mountains before a decisive battle could be fought.
With this purpose in his mind the commander of the Confederate troops issued his orders on the 9th of September, and on the following day General Jackson, in command of three divisions, after he had crossed the mountains, was to ford the Potomac at some place west of Harper's Ferry and then move upon the little garrison at Martinsburg.
His companion, General McLaws, with two divisions was to take possession of the heights which overlooked Harper's Ferry and the Potomac, while another division under General Walker was to cross the Potomac east of Harper's Ferry, and secure the Loudon Heights. This last-named position would enable the Confederate soldiers to command Harper's Ferry from the east bank of the Shenandoah. By this plan the little body of troops in Harper's Ferry would be surrounded and absolutely cut off from every hope of escape because General Jackson, just as soon as he had obtained possession of Martinsburg, was to march swiftly toward Harper's Ferry and block every road that led westward.
CHAPTER VI
LONG JOHN
Startled by the change in the attitude of the band of Confederates, Noel in a loud whisper said to Dennis, "Come, we must get out of this right away!"
"Not yit, sor," said Dennis.
"But we must!"
"Not before I drop one of the Johnnies."