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anticipated, attempt to strike the Manassas Gap railway to my left, and thus cut off railway communications between
Johnston's forces and my own, instead of the mere effort to strike my left flank which he actually essayed.
1
It seemed, however, as though the deferred attempt at concentration was to go for naught, for on the morning of the 18th the
Federal forces were massed around
Centreville, but three miles from Mitchell's Ford, and soon were seen advancing upon the roads leading to that and
Blackburn's Ford.
[See map, page 180.] My order of battle, issued in the night of the 17th, contemplated an offensive return, particularly from the strong brigades on the right and right center.
The Federal artillery opened in front of both fords, and the infantry,
while demonstrating in front of Mitchell's Ford, endeavored to force a passage at
Blackburn's. Their column of attack,
Tyler's division, was opposed by
Longstreet's forces, to the reinforcement of which
Early's brigade, the reserve line at McLean's Ford, was ordered up. The Federals, after several attempts to force a passage, met a final repulse and retreated.
After their infantry attack had ceased, about 1 o'clock, the contest lapsed into an artillery duel, in which the Washington Artillery of New Orleans won credit against the renowned batteries of the United States regular army.
A comical effect of this artillery fight was the destruction of the dinner of myself and staff by a Federal shell that fell into the fire-place of my headquarters at the
McLean House.
2
Our success in this first limited collision was of special prestige to my army of new troops, and, moreover, of decisive importance by so increasing
General McDowel's caution as to give time for the arrival of some of General
