George H. Gordon, From Brook Farm to Cedar Mountain

[237] Jackson, thinking the battle had reached a critical stage,¹ determined to strike a final blow. For this purpose he ordered forward one of his reserve brigades, the one commanded by General Taylor, which with Elzey's brigade was in reserve behind the mill-house on the turn-pike, about three fourths of a mile from town. Burning with eagerness, Jackson, outstripping the speed of his messenger, rode rapidly to meet it. Conducting it by a hollow way in rear of the two brigades before us, he gained the cover of a wood to our right, and there directing its rapid formation in line of battle with the left regiments, thrown forward ² to gain our rear, he was ready for his assault.

The moment the enemy's column began to emerge from the woods, Colonel Andrews, through Major Dwight, reported to me that he could see his troops advancing in line of battle directly upon our right flank. Receiving this message while opposite the centre of my brigade, I dashed up to the head of the Second, jumped from my horse, and with Colonel Andrews crawled forward to the crest of the hill, just behind which this regiment was formed in line. On any day in spring the view from that summit would have been most fascinating, There to the south and west was a cluster of beautiful hills, commanding the town, and covered with luxurious clover and pasturage, with here and there a forest grove crowning the eminences. Everywhere the fields were enclosed with fences and stone-walls. The verdure of the forest trees, the rich green of the grasses, the blue sky overhead, and the soft beams of the morning sunlight adorned the picture. But to all that Nature offered, man had added his touch to stamp forever the scene upon my mind. There, just below us, in good rifle-range, preceded by swarms of skirmishers, regiment after regiment of the enemy were moving in good order