It is said that General Meade made this retreat under protest--and that
he was everywhere looking for a position to fight. A Northern
correspondent described how, sitting with him by the camp-fire, General
Meade had said:--
"It was like pulling out my eye-teeth not to have had a fight!"
Did he say that? Then he was out-generalled.
But he had succeeded in retreating safely. He was behind the works of
Centreville: Lee had stopped the pursuit.
There was nothing more, indeed, to be done. Lee must retire, or attack
the enemy behind their earth-works. That was not very promising, and he
fell back toward his old camps, on the Rapidan.
Nothing prevented the cavalry, however, from "feeling" the enemy in
their new position; and Stuart rapidly advanced to Bull Run, across
which Fitz Lee drove the Federal horsemen.
A raid toward their rear, by Stuart, followed. He moved toward
Groveton; deflected to the left, and crossed the Catharpin in a violent
storm; advanced next day toward Frying-Pan; then striking the Second
Corps of Meade, and throwing it into confusion, by producing the
impression that his force was Lee's whole army, he quietly retired by
the way he had come.
His disappearance revealed all. The enemy perceived that the attack was
only a "cavalry raid," and were seized with immense indignation.
Pages:
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162