He lay almost midway between the hostile forces, but it was likely that they would take no notice of him.
With a judgment born of a clear mind, he lay quite still, while the hostile forces massed themselves for attack and defense.

Each was feeling out the other with cannon, but every missile passed well over his head, and he did not take the trouble to bow to them as they sailed on their errands.

Yet he lay close behind that splendid and friendly rock.
He knew that the Southerners would have sharpshooters and skirmishers ahead of their main force.

They would lie behind stones, trees and brush and at any moment one of them might pick him off.

The Confederate force seemed to incline to the side of the valley, opposite the slope on which he lay, and he was hopeful that the fact would keep him hidden until the masses of his own people could charge into the gap.
It was painful work to flatten his body out behind a stone and lie there.