Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 3.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

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[762] routes followed by the enemy. He again crosses Hedgeman's River on the morning of the 12th, and, remaining at Sulphur Springs with a single brigade, sends Colonel Taylor with the other to scout the country toward Warrenton. All necessary precautions seem to be taken to learn if Lee is endeavoring to turn the Federal right wing, but neither Gregg nor Meade is promptly informed of the fact. These precautions will be of no use, however, owing to a singular concurrence of fortuitous circumstances and culpable negligence.

In the first place, the First Maine, coming back from Amissville in the night, falls unexpectedly near Jefferson on the outposts of the Eleventh Virginia. Dreading some ambush, the former falls back on Little Washington, and thus it cannot give any information to Gregg, from whom it will be separated for several days. The Thirteenth Pennsylvania, attacked in its turn on the morning of the 12th, repels all the assaults of the Eleventh Virginia, but its commander neglects to inform Gregg of the enemy's presence. At length, about ten o'clock, Stuart makes his appearance before Jefferson with the whole of Jones' brigade, commanded by Colonel Funsten, and the Federals are promptly dislodged. They fall back slowly, fighting on foot, and their stubborn resistance retards Stuart's march; but they cannot inform Gregg of their retreat, for a part of the Southern cavalry, flanking them, threatens to cut them off. The Thirteenth Pennsylvania thus arrives, still fighting, near Hedgeman's River. A small wood spreads itself on the right bank at a distance of three hundred and fifty yards from Thompson's Ford: the Federals take advantage of its shelter to cope with their adversaries. Gregg, at last informed of the danger which threatens him, has hastily recalled Taylor, and orders the Tenth New York to cross the river to rescue the Pennsylvanians. This reinforcement arrives when the Federals, dislodged from the wood and closely followed by the enemy, are debouching on the declivity which leads to Thompson's Ford. It stops Stuart and retakes possession of the wood. But the Confederates have still an immense numerical superiority. The two Union regiments are driven back upon the river. They look in vain for a rallying-place near the ford, and cross it in disorder, leaving behind them a large number