520

OUR MARCH AGAINST POPE.

at daylight the next morning. To this he reluctantly gave consent, and ourplans were laid accordingly. Wilcox returned to position on the left of theturnpike. Orders were given for an advance, to be pursued under cover ofnight until the main position could be carefully examined. It so happenedthat an order to advance was issued on the other side at the same time, sothat the encounter was something of a surprise on both sides. A veryspirited engagement was the result, we being successful, so far at least as tocarry our point, capturing a piece of artillery and making our reconnoissance

before midnight. As none of the re-ports received of the Federal posit ionsfavored attack, I so explained to Gen-eral Lee , and our forces were orderedback to their original positions. Thegun which we had captured was or-dered to be cut down, spiked, and lefton the ground.

When Saturday the 30th broke,we were a little apprehensive thatPope was going to get away from us,and Pope was afraid that we weregoing to get away from him. Hetelegraphed to Washington that Iwas in full retreat and he Avas pre-paring to follow, while we, thinkinghe was trying to escape, Avere mak-ing arrangements for moA T ing by ourleft across Bull Run, so as to getover on the Little River pike andmove down parallel to his lines and try to interpose between him and Wash-ington. We had about completed our arrangements, and took it for grantedthat Pope Avould move out that night by the Warren ton and Centre ville pike,and that we could move parallel with him along the Little River pike. Gen-eral Lee was still anxious to give Pope battle on Manassas plains, but hadgiven up the idea of attacking him in his strong position.

Shortly before nine on the 30th, Pope ’s artillery began to play a little, andnot long afterward some of his infantry force was seen in motion. We didnot understand that as an offer of battle, but merely as a display to cover hismovements to the rear. Later a considerable force moved out and began toattack us on our left, extending and engaging the whole of Jackson’s line.Evidently Pope supposed that I Avas gone, as he was ignoring me entirely.His Avliole army seemed to surge up against Jackson as if to crush him withan overwhelming mass. At the critical moment I happened to be riding tothe front of my line to find a place where I might get in for my share of thebattle. I reached a point a few rods in front of my line on the left of thepike where I could plainly see the Federals as they rushed in heavy massesagainst the obstinate ranks of the Confederate left. It Avas a grand display of

COLONEL W. S. H. BAYLOR, C. S. A., COMMANDING TIIE“STONEWALL” BRIGADE; KILLED AUGUST 30,

1862. PROM A PHOTOGRAPH.