The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-02-21
FEN. 0. 0. HOWARD'S "REMINISCENCES.
[CSafi,lnod from LIST page

late to encourage the troops and keep back the
enemy. On the cnemy's side appeared Winder,
Ewell and A. p. Hill, commanding divisions
with Garrett, Taliaferro, Early, Forna, Trim
Bile, Ronald and Thomas, leading brigsdes.
Our loss in this bloody engagement was ], 66l
killed and wounded, and 72S missing-22,3S 4 in
all. The enemy's loss, l,3Ii
Though jackson had gained n quasi victory,
il was dearly bought so that the next day bat
one, instead of renewing the conflict, he back
ed of slowly 10 the Rapidan.
A Few DAYS after this battle Lee discovered
the activity OF our transport ships running be-
tween the mouth OF the James and Acquia
Greek Burnside, with his North Carolina
force. was already on hand at Fredericksburg
and surely some Of McClellan's force proper
was in transit to the Potomac. BY the 18th of
August Ealiecl plans were SO clear TO Lee that
lac ordered the divisions Of I0ngstreet and
Hood and the main body of stuaTt's cavalry
fo proceed to Gordonsviile and join the troops
CT jackson. The army, thus made up, was
organized into right and left wings, and the
cavalry: giving JoGgstreet the right, Jackson
the left, and Stuart the cavalry, General Lee
himself took the Geld in command. The Con-
1caerate force numbered at this time between
fifty and sixty thousand men.
General Pope Immediately after the battle,
had called to him Kings division from Freder-
icksburg. and with his usual diligence had kept
his small cavalry force very actively at work
pushing out IA raids here and there. and watch
ing every crossing OF the RapiGan. But as
soon as Lee began TO advance in earnest,
threatening lis communications by crossing
The Rapidan and marching in force around his
left flank, he retired at once 10 the north side
Of the 9appahanBock. Here, facing the enemy,
Banks near the railway, with a briage-head on
the south SIDE watched the center; Mcdowell
tie let and lower crossings, and sigel the up
per: while the active cavalry, under Buford and
Bsyard, took care Of the lanks above and below
LEES FLANKTNG PROCESS.
After sandry trials Of Pope's strength. Cen
eral Lees barking process. like that of Chan
reiiorsville and that Of Gettysburg at sabse-
plent periods was entered upon.
The pa Of August, jackson, preceded by Stu
arts cavalry, moved up the river till he reach
ed a point near sulphur Springs, beyond our
effective flank. I0ugstreet was kept within
supporting distance. Here Lee would cross and
soon be at Narrenton by good direct noun
tain road. In view of this threat, Pope pre-
pared for the abandonment Of the line Of the
Rapfahannock: bat Hallcck demonstrated, and
instructed him to hold 1t TWO days longer, and
most cilphaticaily promised him ali the re-en-
3orcencuts which he might need for was not
AcCielian's army coming in its strength?
Only q part Of .laeksons command under
Juhal Early had effected q crossing when it
appears that I'll operations were checked in
consequence of q storm. The mountain streams
had risen rapidly. and had affected the Kappa
hammock SO suddenly and SO much, that the
fords could not be crossed, and all bridges prac-
ficable TO Lee were carried away. AT first,
when Pope found Jackson pushing over IN
force ard understood from HaIleci1 that rc-en-
zorcemenfs were close at hand. he proposed to
allow as much interval as possible for Jackson,
and then. with his forces vel IN hand TO cross
the RapFahanRock and crush LoBgstreet be-
fore jackson eoald get back TO his help. Two
things hindered this pl2n which he had begun
10 execute. The first was the extraordinary
rise of the river, which hindered his own
crossing. and llle second was that General Lee
gave MP the march TO Narrenton. Pope at last
moved against Jubal Early, sending Sigel
ahead. Here, again, a small stream had be-
come food. and delayed the march TO Sulphur
Springs, giving Early time, by Jacl1son's help
from the other side, TO construct rough bridge
and Withdraw TO the south shore Of the Kappa
hammock.
Lee obtained this advantage and this only
He kept his troops comparatively quiet, and
cool. and resting, while ours were compelled to
watch night aad day q river which at one time
is an impossible torrent and twenty-four hours
later becomes fordabIe every few miles; and
also TO march from place TO place over weary
roads TO meet each new threat. Had HallecE
drawn Pope back at once beyond Cedar Run
TO meet there the re-cnforeemeGts OF Burnside
and lIeintzelman, while his active cavalry
watched the RapralanBock, as il had done the
Eapidan the problem Of the campaign would
have been completely changed.
TIA Hr continued