Stuart was out of the trap. From one of the "tightest places" that a
commander was ever in he had extricated his whole command.
Once in safety, he turned like a wild boar on his enemies. In ten
minutes his artillery had taken a new position--its thunders had
opened--its roar told the army, that his feather still floated, his
star was still in the ascendant.
Such was that queer affair of Auburn. Few more curious incidents
occurred in the war.
A brave officer of the infantry had accompanied us as an amateur.
"I've got enough of the cavalry," he said, laughing; "I am going back
to the infantry. It is safer!"
VIII.
GENERAL MEADE'S "EYE-TEETH."
Stuart came back laughing from his adventure.
The army hailed his reappearance with joy and cheers.
They had already split the air with shouts in honor of the cavalry, on
that evening at Warrenton Springs, when Stuart charged through the
ford.
"Hurrah for Stuart!" was now the exclamation everywhere. And let me add
that the stout cavalier keenly enjoyed his popularity. He was brave and
fond of glory--approbation delighted him. In his ears, praise,
sympathy, admiration, sounded sweet.
General Lee continued to press forward, but the golden moment for
intercepting Meade had fled.
He had not been cut off in Culpeper; he had not been cut off at
Warrenton; he was not going to be cut off at Bristoe, near Manassas.
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