Stonewall Goes West: A Novel of The Civil War and What Might Have Been (Stonewall Goes West Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

three hours ago, sir” reported Owen. “I have sent scouts to the south and west. I told them myself they were to take every care to avoid being seen.”
    Good, good, Jackson thought.
    Owen continued “My scouts say there are no Yankees within a few miles to the south of us, but there is at least a division of them above Milford, on the other side of Broad Run.”
    “Have your men been as far as Cedar Run yet?” Jackson asked.
    “No, sir. But they should either find Yankees or reach thereabouts soon.”
    Jackson imagined the lay of the land, thinking the left of Ewell’s Corps should have passed by way of Auburn, only four miles south, give or take. With no battle noise, that meant there was no sizable Federal presence south of him. Owen’s horsemen should find Old Baldy, not blue. Milford and the bridge at Bristoe Station were ahead and only a mile apart. That was where the Federals were crossing Broad Run.
    Jackson’s eyes lit up brightly. Ahead are rolling hills and woods, he thought. Good cover. We shall deploy here.
    “Sandie, draw up written orders to this effect. General Early will come into town, turn south on the Greenwich Road, and deploy to the southeast, two brigades out front, two brigades in reserve, placed so as to put his right flank in contact with Kettle Run. General Johnson will come into town, turn north and deploy to the northeast. Two brigades in front, two in reserve, his left flank on Broad Run. Hill is to come into town and halt until he receives further instructions.”
    Pendleton watched his chief closely, nodding that he understood.
    Jackson went on. “Early will press on until he meets the Orange and Alexandria line. Johnson is to post one brigade to cover Milford, and push on to Bristoe Station.”
    11:30 am
    Lee’s Headquarters in the Field, Army of Northern Virginia, CSA
    Auburn
    Upon arriving in the village of Auburn, Lee found that every building in the modest village had become an improvised hospital, crammed with the moaning and screaming wounded from Wilcox’s Division. The acrid hint of gunpowder still hung in the air. Withdrawing to a quieter place near Cedar Run, he sent for General Wilcox himself.
    “We moved here as directed,” Wilcox began, “to press the Yankees and relieve General Stuart. The head of my column got here a little after 7:30, sir, and found a strong Federal force concentrated. There was at least a division posted on the west slope of that hill, yonder, with plenty of artillery, 18 guns by my count. More Yankees were situated nearby, and these were attacked from the northwest by a force I can only assume was General Stuart’s. I ordered the boys to deploy and sent back to General Ewell for confirmation, that I should attack such a superior force in a strong position, sir.”
    Wilcox was a professional soldier, a West Pointer and Mexican War veteran, who had written infantry tactics manuals before the war. He looked the part too, what with his barrel chest, burly mustache and neatly combed hair. But today he was a little shaken, and more than a little distraught.
    Lee replied softly “Do go on, General.”
    “Yessir. It was my intention to attack with my whole division once I had it ready, as per orders, even without Ewell’s confirmation. I had three brigades in line when word came to go in at once with whatever I had, that I was to force the enemy to stand his ground. Really kicked the hornet’s nest with that, sir. We stood in with those Yanks for an hour, but I am sorry to say, I was forced to withdraw. Very sorry.”
    “How long have those people been gone?”
    “The last of them left not more than half an hour ago. They marched on Catlett’s.”
    Lee pondered that. He had a message from Jackson, dated 8:30 from Thoroughfare Gap. The head of Jackson’s Corps ought to have reached at least as far Greenwich by now.
    Lee asked “Were you able to identify those people?”
    Wilcox nodded. “Yes, general. They were the clover leafs, the II