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Jackson's command, after having rested on the morning of the 31st, in the afternoon of that day was put in motion for the purpose of turning the enemy's position at
Centreville.
Crossing
Bull Run at and near Sudley's Ford, it moved to the left over a country road,
Jackson's division in front followed by
Ewell's and
Hill's bringing up the rear, until the
Little River Turnpike was reached, when we turned towards Fairfax CourtHouse and bivouacked late at night.
Early on the morning of September the 1st, the march was resumed, and continued until we reached the farm of
Chantilly in the afternoon.
The enemy was found in position, covering the retreat of his army, near
Ox Hill, not far from
Chantilly, and a short distance beyond which the
Little River Pike, and the pike from
Centreville to Fairfax Court-House, intersect.
General Jackson at once put his troops in position on the ridge on the east of the
Little River Pike, with his own division on the left,
Hill's on the right and
Ewell's in the centre;
Hays' and
Trimble's brigades only of
Ewell's division being on the front line,
Lawton's and mine being formed in the woods in their rear.
As we moved into position the enemy opened a heavy artillery fire on us, and soon the action commenced with some of
Hill's brigades on the right, extending to
Trimble's and
Hays' brigades.
During this action a severe thunder storm raged, and while it was progressing,
General Starke, then in command of
Jackson's division, represented to me that a heavy force was threatening his left, between which and the pike there was a considerable interval, and requested me to cover it with my brigade to protect him from the apprehended danger.
After examining the position I reluctantly consented
