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the Orangery with the girls while other women are giving up their
whole time nursing the wounded。 Besides； although I do not
anticipate that after the way they have been hurled back the
Northerners will try again for some time； now they are in
possession of Harrison's Landing they can at any moment advance。
Besides； it is not pleasant being obliged to turn out of one's house
and leave everything to their mercy。 I wrote yesterday to Pearson
to bring the slaves back at once and take up the work； and I shall
go over occasionally to see that everything is in order； but at any
rate for a time we will stop here。〃
〃I think that is best； mother。 Certainly I should feel more
comfortable knowing that you are all at Richmond than alone out
there。〃
〃We should be no worse off than thousands of ladies all over the
State； Vincent There are whole districts where every white
capable of using a gun has gone to the war； leaving nothing but
women and slaves behind； and we have not heard of a single case
in which there has been trouble。〃
〃Certainly there is no chance of trouble with your slaves； mother；
but in some of the other plantations it may not be so。 At any rate
the quiet conduct of the slaves everywhere is the very best answer
that could be given to the accusations that have been made as to
their cruel treatment。 At present the whole of the property of the
slaveowners throughout the Southern States is at their mercy； and
they might burn； kill； and destroy； and yet in no single instance
have they risen against what are called their oppressors； even when
the Federals have been close at hand。
Please keep your eye on Dinah； mother。 I distrust； that fellow
Jackson so thoroughly that I believe him capable of having her
carried off and smuggled away somewhere down south； and sold
there if he saw a chance。 I wish； instead of sending her to the
Orangery； you would keep her as one of your servants here。〃
〃I will if you wish it； Vincent； but I cannot believe for a moment
that this Jackson or any one else would venture to meddle with any
of my slaves。〃
〃Perhaps not； mother； but it is best to he on the safe side。 Anyhow；
I shall be glad to know that she is with you。 Young Jackson will
be away； for I know he is in one of Stuart's troops of horse； though
I have never happened to run against him since the war began。〃
The firing had hardly ceased before Harrison's Landing； when
General Jackson； with a force of about 15；000 men； composed of
his own division； now commanded by General Winder； General
Ewell's division； and a portion of that of General Hill； started for
the Rapidan to check General Pope； who； plundering and wasting
the country as he advanced； was marching south； his object being
to reach Gordonsville； where he would cut the line of railway
connecting Richmond with Western Virginia。 Vincent was glad
that the regiment to which he had been appointed would he under
Jackson's command； and that he would be campaigning again with
his old division； which consisted largely of Virginian troops and
contained so many of his old friends。
With Jackson； too； he was certain to be engaged in stirring service；
for that general ever kept his troops upon the march； striking blows
where least expected； and traversing such an extent of country by
rapid marches that he and his division seemed to the enemy to be
almost ubiquitous。
It was but a few hours after he received his appointment that
Vincent took train from Richmond to Gordonsville； Dan being in
the horse…box with Wildfire in the rear of the train。 His regiment
was encamped a mile or two away； and he at once rode on and
reported himself to Colonel Jones； who commanded it。
〃I am glad to have you with me； sir；〃 the colonel said。 〃I had the
pleasure of knowing your father； and am an old friend of your
mother's family。 As you were in Ashley's horse and have been
serving on Magruder's staff； you are well up in your duties； and it
is a comfort to me that the vacancy has been filled up by one who
knows his work instead of a raw hand。 We have had a brush or
two already with the enemy； but at present we are watching each
other； waiting on both sides till the generals have got their infantry
to the front in readiness for an advance Jackson is waiting for
Hill's division to come up； and I believe Pope is expecting great
reinforcements from McClellan。〃
A few days later Colonel Jones was ordered to take charge of the
pickets posted on the Rapidan； but before reaching Orange a
gentleman rode up at full speed and informed them that the enemy
were in possession of that town。 Colonel Jones divided his
regiment into two parts； and with one charged the Federal cavalry
in the main street of Orange； while the other portion of the
regiment； under Major Marshall； attacked them on the flank。 After
a sharp fight the enemy were driven from the place； but they
brought up large reinforcements； and； pouring in a heavy fire；
attacked the town on both sides； and the Confederates had to fall
hack。 But they made another stand a little way out of the town；
and drove back the Federal cavalry who were pressing them。
Although the fight had been but a short one the losses in the
cavalry ranks had been serious。 Colonel Jones； while charging at
the head of his men； had received a saber…wound； and Major
Marshall was taken prisoner。
Five days later； on the 7th of August； Jackson received certain
intelligence that General Burnside； with a considerable portion of
McClellan's force； had embarked； and was on the way to join Pope。
He determined to strike a blow at once； and marched with his
entire force from Gordonsville for Barnett Ford on the Rapidan。
At daybreak next morning the cavalry crossed the river and
attacked and routed a body of Federal cavalry on the road to
Culpepper Courthouse。 On the following day Jackson came up
with his infantry to a point about eight miles from Culpepper；
where Pope's army； 32；000 strong； were stationed upon the crest of
a hill。 General Ewell's division； which was the only one then up； at
once advanced； and； after a severe artillery fight； gained a point on
a hill where his guns could command the enemy's position。
Jackson's division now came up； and as it was moving into
position General Winder was killed by a shell。 For some hours
Jackson did not attempt to advance； as Hill's division had not
come up。 Encouraged by this delay； the enemy at five o'clock in
the afternoon took the offensive and advanced through some
cornfields lying between the two armies and attacked Ewell's
division on the Confederate right； while shortly afterward they fell
with overwhelming strength on Jackson's left； and； attacking it in
front； flank； and rear； drove it back； and pressed upon it with such
force that the day appeared lost。
At this moment Jackson himself rode down among the confused
and wavering troops； and by his voice and