Yet the delay was not as long as it seemed to him.

Soon they took up their march and advanced on a long line across the neck of Maryland into Pennsylvania, here a region of fertile soil, but with many stony outcrops.

The little streams were numerous, flowing down to the rivers, and horses and men alike drank thirstily at them, because the weather was now growing hot and the marching was bad.
It was near the close of the month when Harry learned that Hooker had been relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac at his own request, and that he had been succeeded by Meade.
"Do you know anything about Meade ?" he asked Dalton.
"He's been one of the corps commanders against us," replied the Virginian, "and they say he's cautious.

That's all I know." "I think it likely that we'll find out before long what kind of a general he is," said Harry thoughtfully.

"We can't invade the North without having a big battle." The corps of Hill and Longstreet were now joined under the personal eye of Lee, who rode with his two generals.