To one of his aides, who came to his tent, April 29th, to inform him
that the enemy had crossed the Rappahannock River in heavy force,
General Lee made the playful reply:

"Well, I heard firing, and I was beginning to think it was time some
of you lazy young fellows were coming to tell me what it was all about.
Say to General Jackson that he knows just as well what to do with the
enemy as I do."

Jackson said of Lee, when it was intimated by some, at the time he
first took command, that he was slow:

"He is cautious. He ought to be. But he is NOT slow. Lee is a
phenomenon. He is the only man whom I would follow blindfold."

As the story of these great men year by year is made plainer to the
world, their love, trust, and respect for each other will be better
understood. As commander and lieutenant they were exactly suited.
When General Lee wanted a movement made and gave Jackson an outline
of his plans and the object to be gained, it was performed promptly,
well, and thoroughly, if it was possible for flesh and blood to do
it.

At the end of May, the Army of Northern Virginia, rested and
strengthened, was ready for active operations. On May 31st General
Lee writes to Mrs. Lee:

"...General Hooker has been very daring this past week, and quite
active. He has not said what he intends to do, but is giving out by
his movements that he designs crossing the Rappahannock. I hope we