“Where are you going?” asked the general.
“I don’t know,” replied the soldier.
“To what command do you belong?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, what State are you from?”
“I don’t know.”
“What is the meaning of all this?” asked Jackson of another.
“Well,” was the reply, “Old Stonewall and General Hood gave orders yesterday that we were not to know anything until after the next fight.”
Jackson laughed and rode on.[[21]]
The men themselves, intelligent as they were, were unable to penetrate their general’s design. When they reached Charlottesville it was reported in the ranks that the next march would be northwards, to check a movement of Banks across the Blue Ridge. At Gordonsville it was supposed that they would move on Washington.