The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-01-28

W%arrenton over the route Stuart had
come, but to his surprise he found
Auburn in possession of a strong col
umn OF the enemy. By e more cir
cuitous route he avoided the enemv
and safely reached General Lee, later.
however. than Stuart had timed.
For come reason General Lee did
not accept Stuart . suggestion and the
proposed attack was not made. He
remained in observation Of the moving
column long enough for Major Vena-
bic to have reached General Lee, and
was anxiously awaiting the sound of
Lees guns in attack upon Meade's
flank. Despairing of this he started
to rctracc his steps when to his sur
prise be found a heavy column in his
rear. Here was a great dilemma.
Front and rear great columns Of Fed
eral troops were marching. Along the
railroad and the parallel dirt roads the
bulk OF Mcade's army was pressing for
Manassas. while behind Stuart the
Second and Third army corps securely
locked him in. Between these two
columns stood the two brigades, won
dering what would be the result.
Stuart knew his peril and rapidly con-
centrated his force between the sur
rounding hills, which raised their
friendly tops between his command
and the heavy columns Of the enemy.
Night kindly lowered the curtain Of
darkness over and around the belea-
guered troops. Rushing his seven
cannons to the crest Of the hills over
looking the ford Of Cedar Creek. moth
ing remained but to watch, VAC and
keep quiet. The troopers stood to
horse to restrain any restlessness in
their steeds, but ever and anon some
hungry mule in the ammunition wagon
would the echoes Of the hills
with disoordant brays. Stuart's hope
was that General Lee would attack
and thus cause o diversion in his favor;
but this hope vanished. Dawn found
the situation unchanged. The hope
Of concealment must vanish when the
sun would rise. A few shots on the
side of the enemy in the direction Of
Warrenton, warned Stuart that work
was about to commence there. Now
was the time for action. His seven
guns rained shot and shell upon the
surprised foremen. His left flank to-
wards Catlett's station was his weak
point and against this a strong coun-
ter attack was made. Against this
Col. Rufin led his splendid First
North Carolina cavalry in a mounted
charge. He OVERRIDE d strong Skin
mish line Of the enemy, most of whom
surrendered, but his force was repell-
ed by the heavy infantry battle line,
leaving their gallant commander dead
upon the field. The enemy was check
ed by this charge of Rufin, .ad
Stuart, Selling the opportunity the ar
tiIlery was withdrawn from the hills
and with the baggage wagons passed
rapidly In rear OF the enemy and by a !
bold dash we're released from II trap
that looked hopeless Of escape.
No less than six bold men had suc-
c~essfulIy passed through the enemy's
lines during the night, and acquainted
General Lee of Stuart great peril. |
Stuart confidently expected General
Lee would attack at or before dawn to
relieve tension of this GORDON around
him. A part Of Ewell's corps- did
move out TO attack but they claimed
the fire from Stuart's guns passing
through and over the enemy arrested
their forward movement.
The strain that night was severe
upon the nervous tension Of Stuart
and his troopers, but these men had
been with the gay and gallant cavalier
In serious difficulties before and trust
ed his skill and sagacity would provide
means Of escape.
Not to his ability, courage OF nerve
did Stuart attribute his wonderful
escapes from these and other dangers, |
but to the God of battles did he
ascribe his marvellous escapes and on.
down to the sad and painful episode
at Yellow Tavern he gave the glory Of |
all his achievements 10 the Lord
Almighty. Here with his usual in
trepidity he threw himself with about
eighty men Upon the head Of a bril-
gade, saving Richmond, but yielded
up the life of as gallant a cavalier as
ever drew blade or strobe a steed.
Sedgwick, one Of the best corps
commanders in the Federal army, aud
a companion in arms in the nd army,
said of Stuart: "He wal the best
cavalry officer ever foaled iu America
Captain John Estin Cooke, the
author, me of Stuart's military house
hold, lovingly wrote:
"Never was a cavalier like oars,
Not Rupert in the days before;
ana When his stern, hard work was |
His grief. JOY, battles DER,
His mighty spirit rode the storm,
And led hia man Ouca mora l