would entail unnecessary destruction of life, and, besides, be of

doubtful result. At the point where Early's troops were in position,

between the Massanutten range and Little North Mountain, the valley

is only about three and a half miles wide. All along the precipitous

bluff which overhangs Tumbling Run on the south side, a heavy line of

earthworks had been constructed when Early retreated to this point in

August, and these were now being strengthened so as to make them

almost impregnable; in fact, so secure did Early consider himself