Despite the utmost possible exertions the army could make only five miles in a single day and at the approach of night it flung itself upon the ground exhausted.
“I call this the Great Muddy Army,” said St. Clair, ruefully to Harry, as he surveyed his fine uniform, now smeared over with brown liquid paste.
“It might have been worse,” said Langdon. “Suppose we had fallen in a quicksand and had been swallowed up utterly. 'Tis better to live muddy than not to live at all.”
“It would be better to call it the Great Tired Army just now,” said Harry. “To keep on pulling your feet all day long out of mud half a yard deep is the most exhausting thing I know or ever heard of.”
“Where are we going?” asked St. Clair.
“Blessed if I know,” replied Harry, “nor does anybody else save one. It's all hid under General Jackson's hat.”
“I guess it's Staunton,” said Langdon. “That's a fine town, as good as Winchester. I've got kinsfolk there. I came up once from South Carolina and made them a visit.”
But it was not Staunton, although Staunton, hearing of the march, had been joyfully expecting Jackson's men. The fine morning came, warm and brilliant with sunshine, raising the spirits of the troops. The roads began to dry out fast and marching would be much easier. But Jackson, leading somberly on Little Sorrel, turned his back on Staunton.
The Virginians stared in amazement when the heads of columns turned away from that trim and hospitable little city, which they knew was so fervently attached to their cause. Before them rose the long line of the Blue Ridge and they were marching straight toward it.
They marched a while in silence, and then a groan ran through the ranks. It was such a compound of dismay and grief that it made Harry shiver. The Virginians were leaving their beloved and beautiful valley, leaving it all to the invader, leaving the pretty little places, Winchester and Staunton and Harrisonburg and Strasburg and Front Royal, and all the towns and villages in which their families and relatives lived. Every one of the Virginians had blood kin everywhere through the valley.