He wished plain apparel upon himself, but he did not disapprove of the reverse upon General Stuart.
"You are very welcome, General Stuart," he said.
"I thank you, sir.

I have come to report to you, sir, that General Burnside's army is gathering in great force on the other side of the Rappahannock, and that we are massed along the river and back of Fredericksburg." "General Burnside will cross, will he not ?" "So we think.

He can lay a pontoon bridge, and he has a great artillery to protect it.

The river, as you know, sir, has a width of about two hundred yards at Fredericksburg, and the Northern batteries can sweep the farther shore." "I'm sorry that we've elected to fight at Fredericksburg," said General Jackson thoughtfully.

"The Rappahannock will protect General Burnside's army." Stuart gazed at him in astonishment.
"I don't understand you, sir," he said.