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lines, and which the enemy had penetrated with a small force, it was afterward ascertained, and captured some stragglers.
They were between
General Jackson and his baggage at
Sudley.
I immediately sent to
Major Patrick, whose six companies of cavalry were near
Sudley, to interpose in defence of the baggage, and use all the means at hand for its protection, and order the baggage at once to start for
Aldie.
General Jackson also, being notified of this movement in his rear, sent back infantry to close the woods.
Captain Pelham, always at the right place at the right time, unlimbered his battery, and soon dispersed that portion in the woods.
Major Patrick was attacked later; but he repulsed the enemy with considerable loss, though not without loss to us, for the gallant
Major, himself setting the example to his men, was mortally wounded.
He lived long enough to witness the triumph of our arms, and expired thus in the arms of victory.
The sacrifice was noble, but the loss to us irreparable.
I met with the head of
General Longstreet's column between
Haymarket and
Gainesville, and there communicate to the
commanding General,
General Jackson's position and the enemy's. I then passed the cavalry through the column so as to place it on
Longstreet's right flank, and advanced directly toward
Manassas, while the column kept directly down the pike to join
General Jackson's right.
I selected a fine position for a battery on the right, and one having been sent to me, I fired a few shots at the enemy's supposed position, which induced him to shift his position.
General Robertson, who, with his command, was sent to reconnoitre farther down the road toward
Manassas, reported the enemy in his front.
Upon repairing to that front, I found that
Rosser's regiment was engaged with the enemy to the left of the road, and
Robertson's videttes had found the enemy approaching from the direction of Bristoe Station, toward
Sudley.
The prolongation of his line of march would have passed through my position, which was a very fine one for artillery, as well as observation, and struck
Longstreet in flank.
I waited his approach long enough to ascertain that there was at least an army corps, at the same time keeping detachments of cavalry dragging brush down the road from the direction of
Gainesville, so as to deceive the enemy, (a ruse which
Porter's report shows was successful,) and notified the
commanding General, then opposite me on the turnpike, that
Longstreet's flank and rear were seriously threatened, and of the importance to us of the ridge I then held.
Immediately upon the receipt of that intelligence,
Jenkins's,
Kemper's, and
D. R. Jones's brigades, and several pieces of artillery, were ordered to me by
General Longstreet, and, being placed in position fronting
Bristoe, awaited the enemy's advance.
After exchanging a few shots with rifle pieces, this corps withdrew toward
Manassas, leaving artillery and supports to hold the position till night.
Brigadier-General Fitz-Lee returned to the vicinity of
Sudley, after a very successful expedition, of which his official report has not been received, and was instructed to cooperate with
Jackson's left.
Late in the afternoon the artillery on this commanding ridge was, to an important degree, auxiliary to the attack upon the enemy, and
Jenkins's brigade repulsed the enemy in handsome style, at one volley, as they advanced across the cornfield.
Thus the day ended, our lines having considerably advanced.
Captain Pelham's battery was still with the left wing.
(See his interesting report of its action on the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth, herewith.) Next morning, (thirtieth,) it became evident that the enemy had materially retired his left wing.
My cavalry reconnoitred to the front, gaining, at the next house, an important point of observation.
A large walnut tree being used as an observatory, the enemy was discovered gradually massing his troops in three lines opposite
Jackson, and his left wing seemed to have entirely shifted.
The
commanding General was informed of these changes.
Captain Throckmorton, Sixth Virginia cavalry, commanding sharpshooters, took position along a stone fence, and stoutly defended our observation against the attacks of the enemy's dismounted cavalry.
About three P. M., the enemy having disclosed his movement on Jackson, our right wing advanced to the attack.
I directed Robertson's brigade and Rosser's regiment to push forward on the extreme right, and, at the same time, all the batteries that I could get hold of were advanced at a gallop, to take position to enfilade the enemy in front of our lines.
This was done with splendid effect; Colonel Rosser, a fine artillerist, as well as bold cavalier, having the immediate direction of the batteries.
The enemy's lines were distinctly visible, and every shot told upon them fearfully.
Robertson's brigade was late coming forward, and consequently our right flank was at one time somewhat threatened by the enemy's cavalry; but the artillery of Captain Rogers, with a few well-directed shots, relieved us on that score.
When our cavalry arrived on the field, no time was lost in crowding the enemy, the artillery being kept always far in advance of the infantry lines.
The fight was of remarkably short duration.
The Lord of Hosts was plainly fighting on our side, and the solid walls of Federal infantry melted away before the straggling, but nevertheless determined, onsets of our infantry columns.
The head of Robertson's cavalry was now on the ridge overlooking Bull Run, and having seen no enemy in that direction, I was returning to the position of the artillery enfilading the Groveton road, when I received intelligence from General Robertson, at the point I had just left, that the enemy was there in force, and asking reinforcements.
I ordered the two reserve regiments, Seventh and Twelfth, rapidly forward, and also a section of artillery ; but before the latter could reach the point, our cavalry, by resolute bravery, put the enemy, under Buford, to ignominious flight across Bull Run, and were in full pursuit, till our own artillery fire at the fugitives rendered it dangerous to proceed farther.
In this brilliant affair, over three hundred of the enemy's cavalry were put hors de combat,
