August 22.

The next morning, in accordance with Lee’s orders to “seek a more favourable place to cross higher up the river, and thus gain the enemy’s right,” Jackson, still preceded by Stuart, and concealing his march as far as possible in the woods, moved towards the fords near Warrenton Springs.  Longstreet, meanwhile, marched towards the bridge at Rappahannock Station, where the enemy had established a tete-de-pont, and bringing his guns into action at every opportunity, made brisk demonstrations along the river.

Late in the afternoon, after an attack on his rear-guard at Welford’s Mill had been repulsed by Trimble, reinforced by Hood, Jackson, under a lowering sky, reached the ruined bridge at the Sulphur Springs.  Only a few of the enemy’s cavalry had been descried, and he at once made preparations to effect the passage of the Rappahannock.  The 13th Georgia dashed through the ford, and occupied the cottages of the little watering-place.  Early’s brigade and two batteries crossed by an old mill-dam, a mile below, and took post on the ridge beyond.  But heavy rain had begun to fall; the night was closing in; and the river, swollen by the storms in the mountains, was already rising.  The difficulties of the passage increased every moment, and the main body of the Valley army was ordered into bivouac on the western bank.  It was not, however, the darkness of the ford or the precarious footing of the mill-dam that held Jackson back from reinforcing his advanced guard, but the knowledge that these dangerous roadways would soon be submerged by a raging torrent.  Early was, indeed, in peril, but it was better that one brigade should take its chance of escape than that one half the column should be cut off from the remainder.

August 23.

Next morning the pioneers were ordered to repair the bridge, while Longstreet, feinting strongly against the tete-de-pont, gave Pope occupation.  Early’s troops, under cover of the woods, moved northward to the protection of a creek named Great Run, and although the Federal cavalry kept close watch upon him, no attack was made till nightfall.  This was easily beaten back; and Jackson, anxious to keep the attention of the enemy fixed on this point, sent over another brigade.

August 24.

At dawn on the 24th, however, as the Federals were reported to be advancing in force, the detachment was brought back to the Confederate bank.  The men had been for two days and a night without food or shelter.  It was in vain that Early, after the bridge had been restored, had requested to be withdrawn.  Jackson sent Lawton to reinforce him with the curt message:  “Tell General Early to hold his position;” and although the generals grumbled at their isolation, Pope was effectually deluded into the conviction that a serious attack had been repulsed, and that no further attempt to turn his right was to be immediately apprehended.  The significance of Jackson’s action will be seen hereafter.