“Yes; it seems clear that our right will not cross; but suppose McDowell does not come.”

“In that case,” said the Doctor, “for McClellan’s right to cross the Chickahominy would be absurd, for the reason that a Confederate force, supposed to be from Jackson’s army, has nearly reached Hanover Court-House—­here—­in the rear of your right, if you advance; besides, to cross the Chickahominy with the whole army would endanger your supplies.  You see, this Chickahominy River is an awkward thing to cross; if it should rise suddenly, the army on the south side might starve before the men could get rations; all that the Confederates would have to do would be to prevent wagon trains from crossing the bridges.  And another thing—­defeat, with the river behind the army, would mean destruction.  McClellan will not cross his army; he will throw only his left across.”

“But why should he cross with any at all?  It seems to me that with a wing on either side, he would be in very great danger of being beaten in detail.”

“You are right in that.  But he feels compelled to do something; he makes a show of advancing, in order to keep up appearances; the war department already thinks he has lost too much time and has shown too little aggressiveness.  McClellan is right in preferring the James River as a base, for he could there have a river on either flank, and his base would be protected by the fleet; but this theory was overthrown at first by the Merrimac, and now that she is out of the way the clamour of the war department against delay prevents a change of base.  So McClellan accepts the York as his base, but prepares, or at least seems to prepare, for a change to the James, by throwing forward his left.”

“But the left has not been thrown forward.”

“It will be done shortly.”

“What would happen if McDowell should not be ordered to reenforce us?”

“McDowell has already been ordered to reenforce McClellan, and the order has been countermanded.  The Washington authorities fear to uncover Washington on account of Jackson’s presence in the Shenandoah Valley.  If McDowell remains near Fredericksburg ‘for good,’ as we used to say in South Carolina, McClellan will be likely to get everything in readiness, then wait for his opportunity, and throw his right wing also across the Chickahominy, with the purpose of ending the campaign in a general engagement before his supplies are endangered.  But this will take time.  So I say that no matter what happens, except one thing, there will be nothing done by Hooker for ten days; he will stay in reserve.”

“What is that one thing which you except, Doctor?”

“A general attack by the Confederates.”

“And you think that is possible?”

“Always possible.  The Confederates are quick to attack.”  “And you think they are ready to attack?”

“No; I think there is no reason to expect an attack soon, at any rate a general attack; but when McClellan throws his left wing over the Chickahominy, the Confederates may attack then.”