The Federal column which now advanced to attack it, is said to have
embraced all the cavalry of General Hooker's army; and must have
numbered more than twelve thousand sabres.

Stuart rode on rapidly down Fleetwood Hill, and was soon opposite
Beverly's Ford where the enemy had crossed in force. General Jones was
heavily engaged, and the Napoleons of the horse artillery were roaring
steadily. Every moment the round shot crashed, or the shell tore
through the woods about three hundred yards in front of the pieces
where the dismounted cavalry of the enemy had effected a lodgment. They
kept up a hot fire at the cannoneers, and the steady rattle of carbines
further up the river told that Lee was also engaged.

In face of the bursting shell, the blue _tirailleurs_ could not
advance; and Stuart sent an order to Hampton to move in and attack on
the right.

The troopers of the Gulf States advanced at the word; their dense
column was seen slowly moving, with drawn sabre, across the plain; the
moment of decisive struggle seemed rapidly approaching, when suddenly a
heavy blow was struck at Stuart's rear.

I had been directed by him to ascertain if "every thing had been sent
off from Fleetwood," and to see that no papers had been dropped there
in the hurry of departure. Going back at a gallop I soon reached the
hill, and rode over the ground recently occupied by the head-quarters.
The spot seemed swept. Not a paper was visible. All that I could see
was a withered bouquet dropped by some young officer of the staff--a
relic, no doubt, of the last night's ball at the village.