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strong force so disposed as to entrap them. And the defeat of an expedition which might have proved so embarrassing entitles the officers who effected it to the award of distinguished skill and generalship.

On the morning of the 13th, the army concentrated at Warrenton, the cavalry holding the roads from the east side, which was now the direction of the enemy. About 10 a. m. I was directed by the commanding general to make a reconnaissance with the cavalry force available toward Catlett's Station. I sent forward Lomax's brigade in the direction of Catlett's Station, and followed with the brigades of Funsten and Gordon, the former (which had now been joined by the Seventh and Eleventh Regiments) in front. General Lomax advanced as far as Auburn, where he ascertained that the enemy occupied Warrenton Junction in force, and halted his command until my arrival. I directed him to remain at this point and hold the road from Auburn to Warrenton Junction; and having thus guarded against an attack on my rear, I continued to advance toward Catlett's Station, sending reconnoitering parties under Captain Blackford, of the Engineers, off to my right toward Three-Mile Station, on the Warrenton Branch, where a body of the enemy appeared to be concentrated. Arriving cautiously beyond Saint Andrew's Church, in plain view of the enemy at Catlett's Station and Warrenton Junction, I discovered that he was really retreating toward Manassas, and had an immense park of wagons stationed between Warrenton Junction and Catlett's.

There appeared to be here an excellent opportunity for the main body to move down and attack the enemy in motion during the night, and I hastened to send this valuable information to the commanding general, selecting for the purpose my inspector-general (Major Venable), who, upon arriving near Auburn, discovered that the enemy was in possession thereof, sent me word to that effect, and then made a détour so as to avoid them, and reached the commanding general with the information with which he was intrusted. I received a confirmation of Major Venable's statement from Captain Blackford, who had now returned from his reconnaissance, and reported a column of the enemy moving in that direction.

By 9 p. m. I had received no notification from General Lomax that the enemy had dispossessed him of his position at Auburn, though he informs me that a courier was sent with the information. I had with me seven pieces of artillery and the force of cavalry already named, with which I could have inflicted damage on the enemy and his immense trains, but believing that a more decided result could be obtained by a movement of our whole army, I carefully concealed my force from view, and anxiously awaited the expected move. It was growing late when the news of the enemy's occupying Auburn reached me. I moved at once for Auburn, but it was dark before I reached the place, and I was skirmishing with the enemy after dark near Auburn. That was the only road of egress toward Warrenton. On my right, as I was now facing, was woods, and on my left for several miles a mill-race. In this predicament I was not long in deciding to conceal my whereabouts, if possible, from the enemy; communicate, if possible, to the commanding general the movement of the enemy that was then progressing, and patiently await the dawn of morning.

It will be perceived that the enemy's column diverged at Warrenton Junction, and embracing me converged again in the direction of

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Bristoe Station. Several dispatches captured during the night satisfied me that, notwithstanding the skirmishing that had taken place, the enemy was ignorant of my position, and having placed my artil lery in a commanding position, I was prepared to co-operate with any attack made by our main body upon the flank. I dispatched six separate messengers (bold men), who were directed to slip through the enemy's column, the marching of which was distinctly heard, passing within a few hundred yards of our position, and to reach the commanding general with information of the state of affairs. All of these messengers got safely through by 1 o'clock at night. The morning came and with it a dense fog, which tended further to conceal our whereabouts. But the enemy were only a short distance from us and we heard every word spoken. An army corps halted on a hill just opposite to us, stacked arms, and went to making coffee. This operation had considerably progressed when a sharp volley of musketry was heard on the Warrenton road. I waited until it appeared more general, when, believing that it was our attack in earnest, I opened seven guns upon the enemy and rained a storm of canister and shell upon the masses of men, muskets, and coffeepots.

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Strange to say, the fire of our infantry ceased as soon as I opened, and I soon found myself maintaining an unequal contest with an army corps, a considerable portion of whom being under the hill recovered from their stampede and consternation sufficiently to move out upon either flank under the cover of the rolling ground, so as to make my position untenable with the kind of force I had. A vigorous attack with our main body at the time that I expected it would have insured the annihilation of that army corps. Their batteries meanwhile opening from the hill beyond upon our position, I was compelled most reluctantly to withdraw the artillery; in doing which General Gordon, who was directed to cover the left flank, seeing the enemy pressing rapidly down on that side in a manner which threatened to cut us off from the road, ordered forward one of his regiments (the old First), which was led by its gallant colonel (the lamented Ruffin), charged a regiment of infantry, nearly all of whom had surrendered, when a re-enforcement closing up rapidly under the cover of a fence compelled this Spartan band to relinquish their captives. The colonel of the regiment fell in the charge. He was a model of worth, devotion, and heroism.

Brigadier-General Gordon, though receiving in this charge a painful wound, continued, by his brave example and marked ability, to control the field, in which he was nobly seconded by the gallant Capt. W. H. H. Cowles, of that regiment.

Funsten's brigade was engaged principally as sharpshooters, dismounted, not being called upon to charge, and brought up the rear of the column, which now moved across the mill-race, which was soon bridged, and thence toward Warrenton, striking the route the enemy had lately marched, in their rear, capturing a number of stragglers. Halting my command near this route for feed, I dashed on myself to the commanding general, whom I found in front of Auburn, and informed him of the situation. The enemy did not follow me far, and our main column, after some artillery firing, found Auburn evacuated and continued its march.

Brigadier-General Lomax, who had been cut off from me the day before, had joined Major-General Lee, who had then come up and moved his advance guard on the Warrenton road to New Baltimore,

while with Funsten's and Gordon's brigades I moved on the right flank of the army toward Bristoe, aiming to keep on the right of our infantry skirmishers. It so happened that a battalion of skirmishers of Rodes' division left the line of march pursued by the column and branched off toward Catlett's Station. Keeping on the right of these skirmishers, I found myself very much put out of my course, and, in consequence, my column did not reach Bristoe until after dark.

It appears from General Lomax's report that soon after my departure from Auburn heavy columns of the enemy came in sight from the direction of Warrenton Junction and Three-Mile Station, and he had barely time to move his command around the head of this column when he was attacked. The brigade was dismounted and an animated contest ensued, our sharpshooters gallantly holding their ground in spite of the storm of canister directed at them, and so persistently assailing the enemy's batteries as to cause them to change position. Their infantry also took part in the engagement, and our sharpshooters did not retire until ordered to do so.

My extrication from this embarrassing situation with the comparatively small loss which I sustained is due, under Providence, to the gallant officers and men of my command, who, upon this trying occasion, which thoroughly tested their soldierly character, exhibited nerve and coolness which entitle them to the highest praise from their commander.

On the morning of the 15th, the enemy having withdrawn during the night, the whole command (Lee's division having joined), with the exception of Young's brigade (which had moved from Culpeper around by way of Bealeton and had not yet arrived), advanced in pursuit of the enemy to Manassas, one regiment (the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry) being sent on the Brentsville road.

At Manassas, Gordon drove in the enemy's pickets, and portions of Lee's divisions pressing on to McLean's Ford came upon their cavalry in considerable force with infantry supports. The cavalry being dismounted and moving forward en masse, attacked them with such spirit that they retreated across Bull Run.

In this affair the Stuart horse artillery played a conspicuous part. Our sharpshooters occupied the rifle-pits on the bank and held possession of the ford, it being a part of my instructions to create a bold demonstration, as if our whole army was following up.

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About this time I was informed that there was a train of the enemy's wagons which had not yet crossed Bull Run, and which there was some prospect of my being able to capture. I hastened, therefore, to start the nearest brigade (Gordon's) with the guide for this promised prize. The enemy apprehending such a move had, however, a large force of cavalry and some artillery posted so as to cover the road which the train was traveling, which turned here at a sharp angle toward Yates' Ford. I was informed by the guide that by making a circuit farther east I could get entirely between the train and Bull Run. I therefore directed General Gordon to attack them in front, while with Funsten I moved as above indicated. Gordon was speedily engaged in a brisk artillery duel with their batteries, the horse artillery, under Maj. R. F. Beckham, fighting, upon this occasion as throughout the entire expedition, with their customary skill and gallantry. Gordon was also engaged in a brisk encounter of small-arms with their dismounted men, strongly posted in dense thickets, which furnished a safe cover for the enemy.

29 R R-VOL XXIX, PT I

Moving with Funsten's brigade in the direction of Yates' Ford, after a very circuitous route I reached just at dark a point but a short distance from where Gordon had been engaging the enemy, where the road passed through a dense thicket of pines and was barricaded. The Twelfth Virginia being in front was ordered to charge the barricade, which was gallantly done, and the enemy were driven from their strong position to precipitate flight. Soon afterward their batteries ceased firing and retired, their entire force retreating behind Bull Run. Several prisoners were taken here.

During General Gordon's engagement Major-General Lee, who had been notified by me of what was going on, moved to his support, and a part of his command (Lomax's brigade) became also engaged here. Darkness, however, prevented any general engagement of his command. The command bivouacked for the night in the vicinity of Manassas. Captain Haynes, of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry, one of the best officers and most gallant soldiers in the service, was seriously wounded during the day.

On the morning of the 16th, I left Major-General Lee with his division at Manassas, to repulse any advance of the enemy in that direction, and with Hampton's division, which had been joined by Young's brigade and four pieces of horse artillery on the previous evening, moved toward Groveton, with the view of crossing Bull Run above Sudley Ford and getting in rear of Centreville. As we passed the vicinity of Groveton our pickets were skirmishing with the enemy, and the muddy condition of the roads rendered military operations very difficult; but in spite of this and the swollen condition of Bull Run, I crossed that night and bivouacked near Stone Castle.

I continued the march on the morning of the 17th, striking the Little River turnpike about 3 miles below Aldie, and passing Gum Springs reached Frying Pan Church, near which point a squadron of Young's brigade, which was in front, charged and captured a number of the enemy's picket; and our sharpshooters being thrown forward a brisk engagement ensued with a regiment of infantry belonging to the Sixth Army Corps, Major-General Sedgwick, which was posted at this place. The Jeff. Davis Legion was here conspicuous for its gallantry, advancing dismounted across the field upon the enemy's position.

After about two hours' skirmishing the strength and position of the enemy was discovered; the fact ascertained that the Sixth Army Corps was intrenching a line across the Little River turnpike perpendicular to it and a little west of Chantilly, and other information of an important character acquired.

The purpose of the expedition having been thus accomplished, the troops were secretly withdrawn at sundown, returning at their leisure by the same route which they had pursued in advancing, the direction of our withdrawal purposely leading the enemy to suppose that we were going in the direction of Fairfax Court-House.

Subsequent intelligence derived from the enemy's statements showed that this attack on their rear greatly disconcerted them, and induced the whole Federal force at Centreville to fall back in the direction of Alexandria, under the impression that we designed a movement with our entire army against their right flank and rear. While skirmishing with the enemy at Frying Pan, I received a communication from Colonel Chilton which prevented my prosecuting the expedition any farther as it informed me that General Lee

was anxious to see me immediately. It bore that date [17th], but as there was no hour named it was impossible for me to tell whether it had been written very recently or early in the morning. It was marked in haste, and the relay courier who delivered it stated that the one from whom he obtained it had broken down his horse. Not knowing what might have happened, I deemed it proper to move back with as little delay as possible.

That night I bivouacked Hampton's division near the Little River turnpike, and on the 18th moved back to Gainesville, where I understood what the commanding general's instructions were, and also received information of the retrograde movement of our army. Toward night I moved with Hampton's division above Hay Market for forage and supplies, and encamped on the road.

The same night I received intelligence of an intended advance of the enemy, consisting of Kilpatrick's division of cavalry and six pieces of artillery, with a column of infantry in rear, these having moved out from Fairfax Court-House the previous day. Our pickets were attacked just at dark, and being reported to me as driven in, gave me great concern for my own position. I moved one brigade (Young's, which had to saddle up in a terrible rain-storm) to Hay Market to hold that point. It was found, however, that our pickets still had possession of Gainesville, and the command pressed on without difficulty toward Buckland, our rear guard being followed at a respectable distance by the enemy. I immediately communicated with Major-General Lee and directed him to watch out on my right flank. The enemy's cavalry having, during my absence, recrossed Bull Run in Major-General Lee's front, he had fallen back on the 16th with his division to Bristoe, where they threatened him all day, but were repulsed by a few shots from his artillery, and now occupied a position with his entire command in the vicinity of Auburn.

Selecting advantageous positions for sharpshooters and artillery along Broad Run, I determined to delay the enemy until Major-General Lee, who had been notified to come to my support, could arrive, knowing that I could at least delay the enemy, and believing if Kilpatrick was detached, as I supposed he was, I could inflict upon him severe injury. The enemy was baffled in repeated attempts to force the passage of Broad Run. Very soon they appeared to abandon the attempt in my front while moving detachments toward my flanks. About this time I received a dispatch from Major-General Lee stating that he was moving to my support, and suggesting that I should retire before the enemy with Hampton's division in the direction of Warrenton, drawing the enemy after me, when he would come in from Auburn and attack them in flank and rear. I at once assented to this arrangement, and sending back word to Major-General Lee that I would be ready to turn upon the enemy at his signal gun, I retired with the division slowly before the enemy until I reached Chestnut Hill, within 2 miles of Warrenton. This plan proved highly successful. Kilpatrick followed me cautiously until I had reached the point in question, when the sound of artillery toward Buckland indicating that Major-General Lee had arrived and commenced the attack, I pressed upon them suddenly and vigorously in front, with Gordon in the center and Young and Rosser on his flanks. The enemy at first offered a stubborn resistance to my attack, but the charge was made with such impetuosity, the First North Carolina gallantly leading, that the enemy broke and the rout

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