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[778] to claim in vain the command of the soldiers whose love he has won. The Sixth corps extends itself on the right from Chantilly to Frying Pan. The immense train, whose march was retarded on the 14th, is nearing Bull Run under Buford's guard. Meanwhile, alarm reigns again in the capital; troops scarcely organized arrive in haste from New York. To do Halleck justice, it must be said that he does not share these fears. He has divined Lee's numerical weakness, and understands that he endeavors to conceal it by his bold movements: he insists upon Meade attacking the Confederates in the position which they occupy so far from their base of supplies. The Union general, despite his reluctance to again push forward his fatigued soldiers, resolves to obey, and the forward movement is fixed for the 16th. But Stuart will neglect nothing to retard it. On the morning of the 15th, whilst the Confederate infantry halts on Broad Run, he moves his cavalry toward the Federal lines: a few hours after Fitzhugh Lee reaches Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford and exchanges a few shots with Warren's troops. Finding them strongly posted at this point, Stuart, with Hampton's division, descends Bull Run in search of the large Federal train. He meets it at Yates' Ford,1 parked near the run, which the wagons are crossing singly. The operation is slow and perilous, but Buford, reinforced by an infantry brigade of the Third corps, keeps a good watch, and after a slight skirmish the Confederates give up the idea of an attack. Night has come, and it is only on the 16th that Stuart can perform against Meade's flank the movement which is to keep him at a standstill until the Confederates have completed the thorough destruction of the railroad. Leaving Fitzhugh Lee at Manassas, Stuart, at the head of Hampton's division, will endeavor to outflank Meade on his right. In order to avoid Groveton, which is strongly occupied, he reaches Gainesville, crosses the Aldie road, and, bearing at last toward the right, reaches Frying Pan in the
1 A brisk attack by Gordon's brigade of cavalry, coming from the direction of Brentsville, was made south of Yates' Ford upon the rear-guard, composed of the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, which was temporarily serving with Buford, but was resisted by that regiment alone for several hours, its reinforcement being delayed until near nightfall.—Ed.
Philadelphia, Jos. H. Coates and co., 1883.
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