Between the two rivers, south-west of Port Republic, were the Confederate trains, parked in the open fields.  Here was Carrington’s battery, with a small escort; and now the cavalry had fled there were no other troops, save a single company of the 2nd Virginia, on this side the Shenandoah.  The squadron which headed the Federal advanced guard was accompanied by two guns.  One piece was sent towards the bridge; the other, unlimbering on the further bank, opened fire on the church, and the horsemen trotted cautiously forward into the village street.  Jackson, warned of his danger, had already made for the bridge, and crossing at a gallop escaped capture by the barest margin of time.  His chief of artillery, Colonel Crutchfield, was made prisoner, with Dr. McGuire and Captain Willis,* (* All three of these officers escaped from their captors.) and his whole staff was dispersed, save Captain Pendleton, a sterling soldier, though hardly more than a boy in years.  And the danger was not over.  With the trains was the whole of the reserve ammunition, and it seemed that a crushing disaster was near at hand.  The sudden appearance of the enemy caused the greatest consternation amongst the teamsters; several of the waggons went off by the Staunton road; and, had the Federal cavalry come on, the whole would have been stampeded.  But Carrington’s battery was called to the front by Captain Moore, commanding the company of infantry in the village.  The picket, promptly put into position, opened with a well-aimed volley, and a few rounds checked the enemy’s advance; the guns came rapidly and effectively into action, and at this critical moment Jackson intervened with his usual vigour.* (* According to General Shields’ account his cavalry had reported to him that the bridge at Port Republic had been burned, and he had therefore ordered his advanced guard to take up a defensive position and prevent the Confederates crossing the Shenandoah River.  It was the head of the detachment which had dispersed the Confederate squadrons.) From the left bank of the North River he saw a gun bearing on the bridge, the village swarming with blue uniforms, and more artillery unlimbering across the river.  He had already sent orders for his infantry to fall in, and a six-pounder was hurrying to the front.  “I was surprised,” said the officer to whose battery this piece belonged, “to see a gun posted on the opposite bank.  Although I had met a cavalry man who told me that the enemy were advancing up the river, still I did not think it possible they could have brought any guns into the place in so short a time.  It thereupon occurred to me that the piece at the bridge might be one of Carrington’s, whose men had new uniforms something like those we saw at the bridge.  Upon suggesting this to the general, he reflected a moment, and then riding a few paces to the left and front, he called out, in a tone loud enough to be heard by the enemy, “Bring that gun up here!” but getting no reply, he