In five minutes
the Federal infantry, some three hundred in number, were scattered in
headlong flight, leaving the ground strewed with new muskets, whose
barrels shone like burnished silver.
"Good!" Stuart exclaimed, as long lines of prisoners appeared, going to
the rear, "a fair beginning, at least!"
And he rode on rapidly.
V.
THE CHASE.
The cavalry pressed forward without halting and reached the hills above
James City--a magniloquent name, but the "city" was a small affair--a
mere village nestling down amid an amphitheatre of hills.
On the opposite range we saw the enemy's cavalry drawn up; and, as we
afterward learned, commanded by General Kilpatrick.
They presented a handsome spectacle in the gay autumn sunshine; but we
did not attack them. Stuart's orders were to protect the march of Ewell
from observation; and this he accomplished by simply holding the
Federal cavalry at arm's-length. So a demonstration only was made.
Skirmishers advanced, and engaged the enemy. The whole day thus passed
in apparent failure to drive the Federals.
A single incident marked the day. Stuart had taken his position, with
his staff and couriers, on a hill. Here, with his battle-flag floating,
he watched the skirmishers,--and then gradually, the whole party,
stretched on the grass, began to doze.
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