30 Norra Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

betraying our route, and crossing the Blue Ridge we got a
few hours rest that night around Orleans. Next day New
Salem was passed and the Blue Ridge recrossed at Thorough-
fare Gap. That night about 1 o’clock Jackson camped in
Pope’s rear around Bristoe Station.

On the morning of 27 August, Branch’s brigade
had a brush with cavalry and artillery near Manassas Junc-
tion, running it back across Bull Run, capturing some 200
prisoners.

The Eighteenth regiment was not in the pursuit, being
detached after the fight to guard Manassas depot, and hun-
dreds of cars loaded with supplies for Pope’s army—a rich
trophy indeed.

Supplies were taken out, not only for Jackson’s troops, but
also for Lee’s army that was following, and had, two days af-
terward to fight its way through Thoroughfare Gap. All
the supplies were taken that could be disposed of and the
torch applied, about midnight, to that which could not_be util-
ized. At 1 o’clock a. m. the Eighteenth followed Jackson
across Bull Run and in the early morn reached the fortifi-
cations at Centreville erected in 1861. After resting a few
hours the march was resumed, and we recrossed Bull Run at
the Stone bridge taking position in line similar to that occu-
pied by the Federals in 1861, at the First Manassas battle.
We were under heavy artillery firing for some time, and
had some casualties. The Eighteenth was again detached
from the brigade and sent to the right to the support of a
part of Ewell’s command.

Ewell’s troops repulsed the attack on them before our arri-
val and we returned without being actively engaged. On
the morning of the 29th we made quite a march, returning
during the day near where we started from, too fatigued for
the hard service that fell to our lot. We were placed on the
left near Sudley Ford, behind the unfinished Alexandria

and Manassas Gap Railroad and being in the second line, as
supports, had ample action in different places without any
protection. Branch’s brigade was fought that day in sec-
tions, and like foot-cavalry, was at all parts of the line. The
Eighteenth was sent across the railroad to check a flank move-

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT. 31

ment, then to the assistance of Gregg’s brigade, that occupied
the key to Jackson’s position, where desperate fighting had to
be done to hold it against the hosts that were hurled upon it,
in a vain effort to turn Jackson’s left. Again the Eighteenth
was sent to A. P. Hill’s right, to the support of Archer’s and
a Louisiana Brigade, which occupied a railroad cut. The
Eighteenth fought in an open oak woods immediately in their
rear, and when an attack was repulsed, we could not charge
and follow them. Jackson held his ground.

It was evidently Pope’s intention to overwhelm Stonewall
and crush him before Lee could come to his assistance. Long-
street met vigorous resistance at Thoroughfare Gap, but
forced his way through, and by pressing in the direction of
Jackson’s guns, arrived on his right near Groveton in time
to give needful help. Every part of the line was held, and
Pope’s efforts frustrated. On the 30th we were to the left
of the heavy fighting, not actively engaged, simply holding
the place assigned us. The attacks of the enemy were re-
pulsed, and in the afternoon an advance along the line drove
them back on Bull Run. The Confederates were victors on
almost the identical ground from which the Federals were
driven pell-mell in 1861.

During the night Pope’s army crossed Bull Run, more de-
liberately than it was crossed in 1861, but equally defeated.

A heavy rain falling that night, pursuit was not made.
The 31st was used in burying the dead and gathering
the spoils of war, principally by Longstreet, as Jackson
crossed the historic Bull Run at Sudley Ford and camped
that night near Little River Turnpike. On 1 September
marched along the pike towards Fairfax Court House. At
Ox Hill the enemy was met that afternoon, advancing from
the direction of Centreville. Branch was formed parallel to
the pike, and advancing through a field, drove the enemy
from a wood into a large field beyond. In the edge of this
opening, Branch halted and held his position (which was
apart from the brigade that advanced with him, but on a
diverging line) though heavily assailed in front and flank.
Our ammunition being exhausted and the ordnance wagons
not accessible, we were ordered to hold our position at the