their
orders were such that they must move on. Soon they struck the rebel
pickets, who retired before them. Finally they approached the rebel camp
which was lighted and stretching out for miles to the east and south.
The rebels had discovered the approach of the cavalry and sent two
regiments of infantry on a side road to their rear, who opened on them
from an unsuspected quarter. This forced Gen. Straiter to strike off
to his left, following a road leading from Fayette to the old Mission
House. By doing this he made his escape with small loss, but was
completely cut off from his retreat back to Rosenfelt's Headquarters.
He traveled all night and struck the left of Gen. Papson's Corps at
daylight, giving this information to Papson, which was at once sent to
Rosenfelt. Messengers were sent with all dispatch to inform him of the
situation, and not only so, but to say that it looked as though the
enemy were about moving, and Gen. Papson thought they would be most
likely to strike our left. This Rosenfelt did not credit, as he could
not see, if they intended an attack, why they would not attack our
right. In this he was mistaken. The enemy were intending to turn our
left, take possession of the Mission House road, and interpose between
Chatter-augus and our army, secure Chatteraugus and Bridgeton, thereby
taking possession of the lines of railroad between there and Nashua,
forcing Rosen felt away from his base of supplies, and, eventually, to
destroy and capture his army.

"Gen. Papson, taking in the situation, ordered one of his divisions,
with Straiter's tired cavalry, at once on and across the road in rear
of Cherokee Run, holding two of the main crossings, at the same time
notifying Rosenfelt of his position and the reasons for it. In the
meantime Rosenfelt had concluded that the information given him by Mrs.
Houghton was in part correct. Having said this much to her, she asked
to be permitted to go into Chatteraugus, which she could do by crossing
over in the rear of the army to the Mission House road. Her request was
granted, and she started on her way. She had not traveled far before
she heard cannonading. She was then sure that the battle had begun.
Rosenfelt was greatly perplexed. Finally he agreed to Papson's
suggestions, and ordered Crit-singer's Corps to the left, and to join on
to Papson's right. By this time he could hear the sound of artillery
in the distance, but held McCabe, believing that the attack would