Then the rain came, not any fugitive shower, but hard, cold and steady, promising to last many hours.
It was still pouring when the advance began before dawn, but Grant's plans were complete.

He had drawn up his forces on the chessboard, and they were converging closely upon Jackson.

They must keep their cartridges dry and advance at all costs.
The Winchesters were in the van in a muddy road.

Dick, Warner and Pennington were in the saddle, and they were wet through and through.
The rain and dusk were so heavy that they could not see fifty feet, and they shivered with cold.

But their souls were eager and high, and they were glad when the army toiled slowly forward to battle..