| EVENING
August 31st |
Stuart Gives into Temptation
and Alerts General Pope |
| In the early evening, just after Stuart arrived at Ox Hill, his scouts heard the unmistakable rumble of a large wagon train headed east on the Warrenton Turnpike toward Fairfax Court House. It was too tempting for Stuart to resist. He ordered Lieutenant Owen of the First Company, Washington (Louisiana) Artillery, to position his two cannon on a ridge overlooking the turnpike and wagon train. |
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By the time the guns were in position, it was after dark. The two guns were only able to fire about six shots, which killed a few horses and put the Union troops in a general state of panic and confusion. As order became restored, Stuart withdrew to avoid a counterattack by the Federals.
This brief encounter had one major effect... it alerted General Pope to the serious nature of the threat Lee was attempting. The immediate result was a strengthening of the Union troops in control of Germantown and Fairfax Court House and increased reconnaissance to check on any flanking maneuvers. At about 8:30 pm, a company of the 10th New York Cavalry--out from the defenses around Washington--were fooled by pickets of the 12th Virginia Cavalry pretending to be Pennsylvanians. As the 30 New Yorkers approached the junction at Stringfellow Road and the Little River Turnpike, they were surrounded by Robertson's men of the 12th Virginia. News of this capture did not reach Pope to help him further judge the southern threat, but by midnight, he had gathered enough information to realize there was a major move against his right flank and rear positions. The recent performances of both Generals Lee and Jackson had led the federal officers to expect just such an action. By 3 am on September 1st, Pope had sent an order to Major General Edwin V. Sumner (II Corps) requiring reconnaissance at daybreak along Stringfellow Road towards Little River Turnpike. Less than two hours later, Sumner sent Brigadier General Oliver O. Howard into a bright, clear dawn with the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division also known as the "Philadelphia Brigade." Robertson's Confederate Cavalry Brigade kept the Union reconnaissance in check as the Philadelphia Brigade began it's advance up Stringfellow Road. Skirmishing continued for some time until Howard finally pulled back for reinforcements. Once supported, the Philadelphia Brigade continued to engage the Confederate cavalry and infantry blocking Stringfellow Road for the rest of the day. |
