The National tribune., 1892-03-31
10 Manassas. Gen. Pope arrived on the field
about this time, and learning that


JACKSON WAS IN HIS REAR,
determined ito move on Manassas at day
dawn. and bag the whole crowd" and issue
orders TO Mcdowell, Heintzelman, and Rem
accordingly.
The troops Of McDowell's command-his owl
and Sigei's Ccrps-had scarcely finished thei
march OF the 27th-King Reynolds. and Rick
etts from Sulphur Springs, and Sigel from
Warrenton-bcf the troops of those com
nands were summoned again to new trials anc
greater cxertions on the 2Stb. Kings Division
marching swiftly from its bivouac near Buck
land Mills arrived at Gainesville about q. m
Reynolds's Division. having preceded Kings
when one mile cast of Gainesville was arrested
ia IFS march along the pike by Confederate
battery posted on The nights west of Groveton
Coopcrs battery replied. and Mcade's Brigade
was depIoyed through the woods TO the right
But when his skirmishers reached the point
where the battery had been, the enemy had
retired iii The direction Of Sudley church
Sigel threw his corps, which was at Gaines.
Vile
INTO LINE OF BATTLE,
advanced his sllirmishers and reported to Nc
Dowel fur orders. lie was directed to march
forthwith on Manassas, with Reynolds's Di-
vision on hiS lcit-columns in cci!elon. King
was 20 march on Reynnlds's left ia like man.
ner. SigeI's line of march carried his troops
south, and away from the pike. lie reluctant
lv obevei. for he believed Reynolds had met
Jackson Kings Division followed Reynolds
down the pike toward G:oveton, and, turning
south at Page Land Lane halted in an omen
woods a few hundred yards south of the War
renton- CenteFville Pike. 1t was now neon,
and the men rested under groves of chestnut
trees. and they that had them enjoyed their
rations. The division remained in this posi-
tion until late in the afternoon. it not being
needed at Manassas as Jackson had evacuated
the place.
jackson had eluded PoHe. Marching his
divisions by the Sudley Springs and Bull Ran
roads. on the night of the 9th, he reached a
favorable position north of Groveton early in
the afternoon Of the 2Sth, and was in position
TO FLANK ANY FORCE
marching eastward along the Warrenton pike
from Gainesville. Pope, in his blind cropping
after Jackson, followed Hills rear-guard to
Centeryillc, whore kearny arrived in time to
see il turn leisurely westward. Mcdowell, in
order TO comply with Pope's orders, moved all
his troops away from jackson. except Kings
Division. and thus lost splendid opportunity
when Reynolds was attacked in the morning.
Had he then thrown forward his two divisions
-Reynoldss and Kings and Sigel's Corps
jackson would have been discovered before
PEELED to fight battle before his troops were
reunited after their march from Manassas.
But az =. N. the situation was changed. The
divisions and corps of P0pe's army. in scurry-
ing here and there to find Jackson. had be-
come widely separated. Pope with Peao's and
HeintzelmaH's Corrs. was between Ball Ran
and Centervilic. Sigel and Reynolds were on
the SGdley Springs and Manassas road, ap-
preaching the pike from the south; Porter
D. De-. l..
tion. Ricketts, at Thoroughfare Gap, engaged
with the
TROOPS OF LoNGsTEEETs CORPS,
and King on the WarrentoH turnpike one mile
west of Groveton, in the immediate vicinity of
Jackson. whose presence was unknown to any
Of Kings command. But Jackson had been
well advised of Kings movements, aud when
lie saw his division advancing, unsupported.
along the WaTrenton pike, pushed Taliiaferro's
and Ewelis Divisions through the woods and
fields, along tie cut of an unfinished railroad,
10 intercept its supposed retreat. The division,
however WAS not retreating, but was marching
on Centerville. in compliance with orders, in
search Of Jsckson. whom Pope reported to be
east Of Bull Ran.
Early IN The afternoon Mcdowell, whose
headquarters had been with King. rode off to
Manassas. Between 4 and , p III. the First
Brigade iHatelsl, with the Iiih Brooklyn,
deployed 10 the left over Douglass Till. or
nights. back Gf tirovetou. moved forward along
the pike, and reached Groveton without en-
countering the enemy. About s p m. the
Fourth Brigade tGibbon's) moved forward
along the pike TO Douglass woods. through
which the Warrenton pike passes, half a mile
west Of Groveton. The head of his column
was emerging from the woods, when," says
Gen. GibboR, ." / was moving in
ADVANCE OF TIE BRIGADE
on The left of The turnpike. and happening to
ook eff to my left. noticed a number of
horses clear out of the timber. While was
cooking at them and wondering whose they
we're. ] saw the fanks of the horses. Being
IN artillery officer, ! imagined what that meant 4
The horses were turning round and coming
nto battery. Turning TO a staff officer, told
lim to ride back and bring my battery back at
gallon. The order had scarcely been given
when the cnemy's guns opened upon Us. firing
It the troo1s Of my brigade, who were in the /
-oad directly behind me. The battery was
brought un rut in position, and commenced
-epsyiu@ ~ tac Ere. Whilst here heard a single |
'hot away 20 the westward or northwes:ward, !
Df nav position. ] directed staff officer to 90
pack on tie road and bring up the first Of my /
regiments That were coming up. After he had |
zone heard some other shots. and becoming
inpatient at the delay rode back myself to |
meet the troops. met in the timber the 2d |
Wis. told the Colonel of it
TO MOVE RAPIDLY
n the direction which / gave him. and keep
MS men cuict TO push rapidly to the front. |
md we would catch one OF j. T. B. Stuart's |
2tteties. which he had undoubtedly thrown |
u bis reckless way to the front.
As soon as the line was formed the men |
itarted up the timber on an open knoll. fol- |
owed in the rear % the regiment They |
lcarccly reached the top of the hill before they
we're opened Ga by line Of skirmsh our I
were aeployed the regiment NOV
ID TO the front; the artillery that had b.ss,
5ring upon Us ceased at once, and as this regi-
nent advanced il was opened upon by very /
heavy fire of infantry"
Before the d Wis. advanced from the timber |
-he Second Brigade lDoubieday'sl moved at G /
?. 10. down through the woods from the posi- 4
lion between Page Land and Meadowviile 1
Lanes, over rough road that intcrsects the
pike a few hundred yards west of Douglass
woods. When tie pike was reached the head
'f the column turned to the right and was
marching with
INFANTRY AND ARTILLERY
IN parallel columns through an open country.
when suGdcaly, without a thought of the
proximity q the enemy, a rapid fire Of artil-
Iery sent busting shells into the ranks The
General ordered the van forward double-uuick
The leading regiment Goth n. " reaching
Douglass woods as Gihbon advanced the "a
Wis, with the intention 10 shoot the horses
and capture the guns" which he supposed be-
longed TO a cavalry battery, bot was met by the
fire Of large army.
IL was a critical moment The % Wis. must
be suecOrcd. Gibbon Immediately sent for
I'd d as,,sy