would not long retain the initiative; that every man detached from the Federal centre made his own chances of success the more certain; and trusting implicitly in Lee’s ability to stave off defeat, he rode northwards with redoubled assurance of decisive victory.  Forward was the cry, and though the heat was stifling, and the dust, rising from the deep ruts on the unmetalled road, rose in dense clouds beneath the trees, and men dropped fainting in the ranks, the great column pushed on without a check.* (* There were three halts during the march of fourteen miles.  Letter from Major Hotchkiss.)

2 P.M.

About 2 P.M., as the rear brigades, Archer and Thomas, after checking Sickles, were just leaving Welford’s House, some six miles distant, Jackson himself had reached the plank road, the point where he intended to turn eastward against the Federal flank.  Here he was met by Fitzhugh Lee, conveying most important and surprising information.

The cavalry regiment had halted when it arrived on the plank road; all was reported quiet at the front; the patrols were moving northward, and, attended by a staff officer, the young brigadier had ridden towards the turnpike.  The path they followed led to a wide clearing at the summit of a hill, from which there was a view eastward as far as Dowdall’s Tavern.  Below, and but a few hundred yards distant, ran the Federal breastworks, with abattis in front and long lines of stacked arms in rear; but untenanted by a single company.  Two cannon were seen upon the highroad, the horses grazing quietly near at hand.  The soldiers were scattered in small groups, laughing, cooking, smoking, sleeping, and playing cards, while others were butchering cattle and drawing rations.  What followed is best told in General Fitzhugh Lee’s own words.

“I rode back and met Jackson.  “General,” said I, “if you will ride with me, halting your columns here, out of sight, I will show you the great advantage of attacking down the old turnpike instead of the plank road, the enemy’s lines being taken in reverse.  Bring only one courier, as you will be in view from the top of the hill.”  Jackson assented.  When we reached the eminence the picture below was still unchanged, and I watched him closely as he gazed on Howard’s troops.  His expression was one of intense interest.  His eyes burnt with a brilliant glow, and his face was slightly flushed, radiant at the success of his flank movement.  To the remarks made to him while the unconscious line of blue was pointed out he made no reply, and yet during the five minutes he was on the hill his lips were moving.  “Tell General Rodes,” he said, suddenly turning his horse towards the courier, “to move across the plank road, and halt when he gets to the old turnpike.  I will join him there.”  One more look at the Federal lines, and he rode rapidly down the hill.”

4 P.M.