Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[640] Mountain Run, (my brigade did not cross this run,) this run being about two miles from the ford. We had not advanced far beyond Mountain Run when cavalry pickets, that had been posted on this road near the ford, returned, reporting that a large cavalry force had crossed the Rappahannock and were advancing on the road. I immediately ordered two regiments from Featherston's brigade to be formed in line of battle, one on each side of the road, and each of these regiments to be preceded by a line of skirmishers; the remainder of Featherston's brigade close in rear, and Pryor in rear of Featherston.

I now ordered the lines to advance. This had not continued long when a shot was heard on the right, and it soon became quite brisk, and extended to the left. Our lines continued to advance until the skirmishers reached a fence. This was about one thousand yards from the Rappahannock — a field extending down to the river, the ground falling gradually. Some four hundred yards in this field, a few of the enemy's skirmishers were seen. On the far side of the Rappahannock the enemy's camp was visible, being on high ground, much higher than where we were. The camp covered considerable space. The skirmishers continued to fire at each other. Two of my men were wounded here.

The Major-General commanding now directed me to withdraw my force back across Mountain Run, leaving a picket force on the far side. I directed two companies to be posted at the junction of two roads, both of which led to the ford (Kelley's) and two regiments in rear of these companies some three or four hundred yards. The two companies left at the forks of the road were Captains Feltus and Hardy's, Sixteenth Mississippi regiment; the two regiments in the rear were the remainder of the Sixteenth Mississippi and the Twelfth Mississippi. The enemy, seeing that our forces had withdrawn, made a spirited dash with his cavalry at these two companies, and, being much superior in numbers, surrounded them, and demanded a surrender. Captain Feltus immediately gave the command to “fire,” which was done with effect, killing nine horses and emptying several saddles. The heavy firing caused Colonel Posey to send a third company to the assistance of these two; but they had already driven the enemy off, and now fell back to their supports, the two regiments. Colonel Posey now posted the Twelfth Mississippi in a cornfield on his left, which fronted upon an open field, no danger being apprehended on his right, as there was a dense forest on that flank. Scarcely had the Twelfth Mississippi taken its position when a very large cavalry force made its appearance in the open field, at some distance off, but showing an evident design to attack. Colonel Posey moved, unobserved by the enemy, at double-quick time, with the Sixteenth Mississippi, to the support of the Twelfth Mississippi. He had barely reached his position, when the enemy's cavalry came down in line at full speed. When at good range the command to “fire” was given, and one volley from the two regiments scattered the cavalry, with the utmost confusion. Some thirty saddles were emptied, and the cavalry were scattered over the field for more than a mile. At length they re-formed, far off from the infantry that had just punished them so severely. But they were in full view of where my own and General Pryor's brigades were resting, on high ground, in an open field, on the far side of the Mountain Run. I directed Captain Anderson, Thomas artillery, to come into battery on high ground, under cover of some pine, with his Parrott gun, and to fire upon them. It has never been my pleasure to witness such beautiful shots as the first half dozen shell that were thrown at them. Each shell burst at the right place and time, and seemed to create more confusion and inflict greater loss upon them than the infantry fire. This artillery fire drove them entirely out of view, and nothing more was seen of them until about five o'clock P. M., when the cavalry reappeared. Three rifled pieces were now placed in position, and, after a few rounds, the cavalry fled again in confusion.

My command was now, near sundown, put in march in rear of the column for Stephensburg. Just at this time the enemy reappeared on the ground where his cavalry had been twice repulsed by our artillery. This time he came with four pieces of rifled artillery, and began to fire upon us as we were moving off. It was now quite late, and as we were soon out of sight and danger, I did not conceive it necessary to return this fire, as my orders were to follow the remainder of the division, which was now in motion.

Much credit is due to Colonel Posey, Sixteenth Mississippi, and Captain Feltus for the handsome manner in which they repelled the attack of the Federal cavalry, which was much superior in numbers. Captain Anderson, of the Thomas artillery, also displayed much skill in the handling of his battery, and in the accuracy of his shots and the bursting of his shells.

In this affair our loss was two (2) killed and twelve (12) wounded.

Pursuing our march, we bivouacked at Stephensburg at one o'clock at night.

Very respectfully, &c., &c.,

sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part borne by my command at the battle of Manassas, on the thirtieth of August last:

The command of General Longstreet bivouacked on the night of the twenty-seventh of August at White Plains. On the following day the march was resumed, following the road leading through Thoroughfare Gap. Arriving near this gap, it was found to be occupied by the enemy,