526

OUR MARCH AGAINST POPE.

allowed to go at it at once. An incident that occurred in the second Ma- inassas campaign will serve to illustrate his characteristic hot-headedness. :As we were preparing to cross the Rapidari, Stuart sent me word that he jhad cut off a large cavalry force and had all the fords guarded except one.

He asked that I detail a force to guard that point of escape. The work wasassigned to the command under General Toombs, who was absent at the time.

He had met a kindred spirit in the person of a wealthy Virginian namedMorton, whom he had known in Congress, and was out dining with him. ;They were both good livers and loved to have their friends with them. I11going back to his command General Toombs came upon his troops on theroad and inquired what they were doing there. The explanation was made.Toombs had had a good dinner and felt independent. He said he would givethe general to understand that he must consult him before sending his troopsout to guard a ford, and thereupon he ordered them back to camp. As themystified troops marched solemnly back, the matter was reported to me andI ordered Toombs under arrest. As we marched against Pope I allowed himto ride with his command, expecting that he would make some explanationof his conduct. He did not do so, and the next I heard of him he was stop-ping along the route and making stump-speeches to the troops and referringin anything but complimentary terms to the commander of his division. Ithen sent him back in arrest to Gordonsville, with instructions to confine him-self to the limits of that town until further orders. He obeyed the commandand went to Gordonsville. Just as I was leaving the Rappahannock, havingreceived a long letter of apology from him, I directed him to join his com-mand. As we were preparing for the charge at Manassas , Toombs arrived.

He was riding rapidly, with his hat in his hand, and was very much excited.

I was just sending a courier to his command with a dispatch.

“ Let me carry it! ” he exclaimed.

“With pleasure,” I responded, and handed him the paper. |

He put spurs to his horse and dashed off, accompanied by a courier. When jhe rode up and took command of his brigade there was wild enthusiasm, and,everything being ready, an exultant shout was sent up, and the men sprang jto the charge. I had no more trouble with Toombs.