OUR MARCH AGAINST POPE.

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a sharp engagement, and the Federals halted there. Jackson appropriatedsneh of the supplies captured at Manassas as he could use, and burned therest. He then moved over to a position north of the turnpike leading fromWarreuton to Alexandria. There, on the old battle-field, Jackson waited forthe Federals. On the evening of the 28th King’s division came moving east-ward down the turnpike and Jackson met them. A bloody fight ensued,lasting until 9 o’clock at night. The enemy withdrew, leaving the Confed-erates in possession of the field.

That same evening I arrived at Thoroughfare Gap. But I should say thatduring Jackson’s march I had been engaging Pope at different points alongthe Rappahannock, to impress him with the idea that I was attempting toforce a passage in his front. On the afternoon of the 26th, Pope ’s army brokeaway from its strong position to meet Jackson’s daring and unexpected move.General Lee decided that I should follow at once, and asked whether I wouldprefer to force a passage of the river, now rapidly falling, or take the routeby which Jackson had gone. From the crossing along the route to War-renton were numerous strongly defensive positions where a small force couldhave detained me an uncertain length of time. I therefore decided to takeJackson’s route, and on the 26th I started. On the 28th, just before night, Iarrived at Thoroughfare Gap. As we approached, a report was made to methat the pass was unoccupied, and we went into bivouac on the west sideof the mountain, sending a brigade under Anderson down to occupy the pass.As the Confederates neared the gap from one side, Ricketts’s division ofFederals approached from the other and took possession of the east side.Thoroughfare Gap is a rough pass in the Bull Run Mountains, at some pointsnot more than a hundred yards wide. A turbid stream rushes over its ruggedbottom, on both sides of which the mountain rises several hundred feet. Onthe north the face of the gap is almost perpendicular. The south face isless precipitous, but is covered with tangled mountain ivy and projectingbowlders, forming a position unassailable when occupied by a small infan-try and artillery force. Up to this moment we had received reports fromGeneral Jackson, at regular intervals, assuring us of his successful opera-tions, and of confidence in his ability to baffle all efforts of the enemy tillwe should reach him. This sudden interposition of a force at a mountainpass indicated a purpose on the part of the adversary to hold me in check,while overwhelming forces were being brought against Jackson. This placedus in a desperate strait; for we were within relieving distance, and mustadopt prompt and vigorous measures that would burst through all oppo-sition. Three miles north was Hopewell Gap, and it was necessary to getpossession of this in advance of the Federals, in order to have that vantage-ground for a (lank movement, at the same time that we forced our way byfootpaths over the mountain heights at Thoroughfare Gap. During the nightI sent Wilcox with three brigades through that pass, while Hood was climb-ing over the mountain at Thoroughfare by a trail. We had no trouble ingetting over, and our apprehensions were relieved at the early dawn of the 29thby finding that Ricketts had given up the east side of the gap and was many