CHAP. I.

W. R. Vol. XII., Part II., Supple

ment,

p. 903.

just received from General John Buford, to the effect that a considerable body of Confederate troops was approaching from the direction of Gainesville. Concluding from this and other circumstances that there was immediate need of the presence of one of them on the left flank of the main body of the Union army then engaged with the enemy at Groveton, McDowell resolved to take his troops in that direction. On leaving General Porter he said to him, “You put your force in here, and I will take mine up the Sudley Springs road on the left of the troops engaged at that point." McDowell reached Ibid., p. 904. Pope about 5 P. M. and reported to him with King's division, commanded by Hatch, as King was suffering from a severe illness.

The fitful and broken battle which had raged all day between Pope's and Jackson's armies was ebbing to its close, neither side having gained any decided advantage. McDowell's men were put in for the last sharp hour of fighting on Pope's left, opposite the point where Longstreet, who had come on the field without the knowledge of the Union commanders, was now posted; they lost heavily, but fought with the greatest gallantry. They finally retired in good order, leaving one gun in the hands of the enemy, which had "continued to fire," says the Confederate Colonel Law, "until my men were so near it as to have their faces burnt by vol. XII., its discharges." At 4:30 Pope, who had waited all day for Porter's flanking attack upon the Confederate right and rear, sent Porter a peremptory order directing him to push forward into action, keeping his right in communication with Pope's Ibid., p. 509. left.

W. R.

Part II.. p. 623.