the railway, riding without accident, notwithstanding the darkness, over a high embankment with deep ditches on either side.  But the Federal guards had now rallied under cover, and the attack on the railway waggons had to be abandoned.  Another party had taken in hand the main object of the expedition, the destruction of the railway bridge over Cedar Run.  The force which should have defended it was surprised and scattered.  The timbers, however, were by this time thoroughly saturated, and only a few axes had been discovered.  Some Federal skirmishers maintained a heavy fire from the opposite bank, and it was impossible to complete the work.  The telegraph was more easily dealt with; and shortly before daylight on the 23rd, carrying with him 300 prisoners, including many officers, Stuart withdrew by the light of the blazing camp, and after a march of sixty miles in six-and-twenty hours, reached the Sulphur Springs before evening.

The most important result of this raid was the capture of Pope’s dispatch book, containing most detailed information as to his strength, dispositions, and designs; referring to the reinforcements he expected, and disclosing his belief that the line of the Rappahannock was no longer tenable.  But the enterprise had an indirect it upon the enemy’s calculations, which was not without bearing on the campaign.  Pope believed that Stuart’s advance on Catlett’s Station had been made in connection with Jackson’s attempt to cross at Sulphur Springs; and the retreat of the cavalry, combined with that of Early, seemed to indicate that the movement to turn his right had been definitely abandoned.

The Federal commander was soon to be undeceived.  Thrice had General Lee been baulked.  The enemy, who should have been annihilated on August 19, had gained six days’ respite.  On the 20th he had placed himself behind the Rappahannock.  On the 22nd the rising waters forbade Jackson’s passage at the Sulphur Springs; and now, on the afternoon of the 24th, the situation was still unchanged.  Disregarding Longstreet’s demonstrations, Pope had marched northward, keeping pace with Jackson, and his whole force was concentrated on the great road which runs from the Sulphur Springs through Warrenton and Gainesville to Washington and Alexandria.  He had answered move by countermove.  Hitherto, except in permitting Early to recross the river, he had made no mistake, and he had gained time.  He had marched over thirty miles, and executed complicated manoeuvres, without offering the Confederates an opening.  His position near the Sulphur Springs was as strong as that which he had left on the lower reaches near the railway bridge.  Moreover, the correspondence in his dispatch book disclosed the fact that a portion at least of McClellan’s army had landed at Aquia Creek, and was marching to Bealtown;* [* Between August 21 and 25 Pope received the following reinforcements for the Army of the Potomac, raising his strength to over 80,000 men:  Third Corps:  Heintzleman