Earlier in the day Stuart, full of enterprise, and almost insensible to
fatigue, had crossed the Rappahannock much higher up and at the head of a
formidable body of his horsemen, unseen by scouts and spies, was riding
around the Union right. They galloped into Warrenton where the people,
red hot as usual for the South, crowded around them cheering and laughing
and many of the women crying with joy. It was like Jackson and Stuart
to drop from the clouds this way and to tell them, although the land had
been occupied by the enemy, that their brave soldiers would come in time.
News, where a Northern force could not have obtained a word, was poured
out for the South. They told Stuart that none of the Northern cavalry
was about, and that Pope's vast supply train was gathered at a little
point only ten miles to the southeast. Stuart shook his plumed head
until his long golden hair flew about his neck. Then he laughed aloud
and calling to his equally fiery young officers, told them of the great
spoil that waited upon quickness and daring.
The whole force galloped away for the supply train, but before it reached
it the storm fell in all its violence upon Stuart and his men.
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