Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 3.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

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[781] road, but Davies, being ordered to keep up the pursuit, has passed New Baltimore. In the mean time, Lee has rejoined his division, given the order to saddle, and approaches the Federals, who, deceived by their scouts, do not suspect his presence. At a short distance from the road he orders a part of his troops to dismount, and forms it as a line of infantry. The outposts, stationed rather badly by Custer on the Auburn road, have scarcely signalled the presence of the Southerners when they appear before them. Custer has barely the time to deploy his command, also on foot, in a parallel line with the road, so as to dispute the possession of it to the assailants; the battery which accompanies him opens fire, and Fitzhugh Lee answers it. At the sound of the cannonade Stuart suddenly halts and resumes the offensive. Davies, warned by the sound, understands the danger which is menacing him. He falls back rapidly upon New Baltimore, whence his commander calls him in great haste. But each of the Union brigades has for its antagonist a division of the enemy. Custer vainly endeavors to defend the road and to extend his right to join Davies.

Lee leads his cavalry impetuously to the attack. The Southerners advance on the Federal battery, which sweeps the Auburn road without being able to stop them. They are twenty paces from the guns, which must not be given up; they must be carried away. This movement determines the retreat of Custer's command. The Confederates reach the road and separate the two Union brigades; then they closely press Custer and force him to recross Broad Run, and attack him below the bridge on the left bank of that stream. In the mean time, Davies, defending himself as well as he can, withdraws before Hampton's division. Arriving near Buckland Mills, he observes Lee, who bars the way against him; but Kilpatrick has despatched him orders, and he throws himself on the north of the road to reach the Manassas Gap road through forest-paths to avoid being caught between the enemy's two divisions. The retreat, at a gallop from New Baltimore, has not been effected without loss; but Hampton's squadrons have also been greatly reduced by this rapid movement, and Lee being wholly occupied in his fighting with Custer beyond Broad Run, Davies can follow the direction which opens him a chance of safety. From the hills where Custer has formed his command Kilpatrick has observed