This chapter could be named "confusion, chaos, and frustration." Lee struggles to get a handle on what is happening at the head of his army, as well as get the army through a narrow pass before being attacked by the enemy. Lee senses his commanders may not be in control of things with their own groups. He is worried about bringing on a general engagement with the enemy before his whole army is in place. Shaking off his fear so as to think clearly, Lee prays for a moment and then goes on.
The confusion increases when Lee catches up with A.P. Hill, who appears to be sick, a usual state for him before a battle. Hill has little information on what's happening. Seeing Lee's frustration, Hill heads to the front to find out more. Lee waits for a bit, agitated about the current confusion and Stuart's continued absence. While bands play happy tunes, Lee fumes. Finally, he heads out to get his own answers.
The battle is bigger than he thought, and all his men are not in place. Longstreet and several other units are of no help as they're blocked behind the pass. Lee sends a message asking Ewell to hurry. Meanwhile, Harry Heth shows up and doesn't understand what is happening. Heth only grasps that he's created a problem against orders. Lee, realizing that Heth is beyond his limits, shifts his anger from Heth to the lack of information.
