mn, before I was informed that the rear guard had
been attacked, and just at that moment I heard the boom of artillery
in the rear of the column. I had previously learned that the gap
through which we were passing was easily flanked by gaps through the
mountains, both above and below; consequently, I sent orders to the
rear to hold the enemy in check until we could prepare for action. The
head of the column was at the time on the top of the mountain. The
column was moving through the gap; consequently the enemy was easily
held in check.

I soon learned that the enemy had moved through the gaps on my right
and left, and were endeavoring to form a junction in my advance;
consequently I moved ahead rapidly until we passed the intersecting
roads on either flank with the one we occupied. The country was open
sand ridges, very thinly wooded, and afforded fine defensive
positions. As soon as we passed the point above designated (about
three miles from the top of the mountains), we dismounted and formed a
line of battle on a ridge circling to the rear. Our right rested on a
precipitous ravine and the left was protected by a marshy run that was
easily held against the enemy. The mules were sent into a ravine to
the rear of our right, where they were protected from the enemy's
bullets. I also deployed a line of skirmishers, resting on our right
and left flanks encircling our rear, in order to prevent a surprise
from any detached force of the enemy that might approach us from that
direction and to prevent any straggling of either stray animals or
cowardly men.

In the meantime I had instructed Captain Smith, who had command of our
rear guard (now changed to our front), to hold his position until the
enemy pressed him closely, when he should retreat rapidly, and, if
possible, draw them onto our lines, which were concealed by the men
lying down immediately back of the top of the ridge. The lines were
left sufficiently open to permit Captain Smith's command to pass
through near the center. I had two twelve-pounder mountain howitzers,
which were stationed near the road (the center). They were also
concealed. We had hardly completed our arrangements when the enemy
charged Captain Smith in large force, following him closely, and no
sooner had he passed our lines than our whole line rose up and