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CHAPTER V.

On October 12 the cavalry corps crossed the Rappahannock at Warrenton
Springs and moved down the Warrenton and Alexandria pike, and breaking into
several columns inarched by different but nearly parallel roads in the direction of
Centreville. Fitz Lee's Division moved toward Catlctt's Station, on the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad. At a small place on Cedar Creek, called Auburn,
Lomax's Brigade, to which the First Maryland was still attached, made a dash
at the enemy's wagon train, then passing, but finding it protected by a large body
of his infantry Lomax withdrew.

This affair, though brief and unsatisfactory, gave occasion for a compli-
mentary order from General Lomax to the First Maryland which was well
deserved, for by their gallant bearing they materially assisted in extricating that
General from a most perilous position.

By this time Meade had divined the object of General Lee's movement, and
his whole army was in retreat toward Washington, in order to prevent Lee from
gaining his rear.

During this retreat the cavalry made several attacks upon his flank, in all of
which the First Maryland was actively engaged. But little was effected, however,
owing to the careful and compact order in which the enemy retired.

Finding his prey had escaped him. General Lee fell back to the line of the
Rapidan, leaving the cavalry to guard his rear, which also fell back slowly,
Hampton by the Warrenton pike and Fitz Lee by the Orange and Alexandria
Railroad, the two running parallel.

The enemy's cavalry under Kilpatrick, thinking retreat meant defeat, pressed
after Hampton, and his advance and Hampton's rear soon became engaged.
Hampton continued his retreat until he reached within two miles of Warrenton,
when the trap he had prepared for Kilpatrick was sprung.

So eager was that officer to immortalize himself, and so confident was he of
success, that he never stopped to think of the danger that might be lurking
behind the range of hills on his left. Fitz Lee was there, and when Kilpatrick
thought to crush Hampton at a blow and drive him into the Rappahannock, the
sound of a few cannon on his rear and left suddenly put a new phase on affairs.

With the sound of these guns Hampton ceased his retreat, and turning
charged the pursuing: enemy, while at the same moment Fitz Lee struck him in
flank at Buck-land. The fight which ensued was short, bloody and decisive, and
Kilpatrick's exultant pursuit was converted into a precipitate rout, and his troopers
scattered over the country in all directions.