Let the censure
rest not upon the rout, but upon the carelessness that led to the
surprise.

Whole divisions were now overwhelmed by the Rebel hordes, that swept
forward amid blazing musketry and battle-shouts which made the
wilderness resound; and a frantic stampede commenced which not all the
courage and effort of commanding generals, or the intrepidity of some
regiments could check, and which threatened to rout the entire army.
This unforeseen disaster changed the whole programme of the battle and
greatly disheartened our men.

However, the ground was not to be abandoned so ingloriously, and though
our lines were broken, and the enemy had gained a great advantage,
heroism was yet to manifest its grand spirit, and to achieve undying
laurels. The sun had gone down, refusing to look upon this Union defeat
and slaughter, but the pale-faced moon gazed with her weird light upon
the bloody scene, while the carnage still continued.

With the disaster of the Eleventh Corps General Sickles, who was
stationed in the front and centre of our lines and had been preparing to
deal a heavy blow upon the enemy, was left in a critical position. His
expectation of assistance from General Howard was not only cut off, but
he was left with only two divisions and his artillery to meet the shock
of the advancing hosts. General Pleasonton, with his small force of
cavalry, being under Sickles' command, was ordered to charge the proud
columns of the enemy, with the hope of checking them until our batteries
could be suitably planted.

Pleasonton, addressing Major Keenan of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
said, "You must charge into those woods with your regiment, and hold the
Rebels until I can get some of these guns into position. You must do it
at whatever cost."

"I will," was the noble response of the true soldier, who, with only
about five hundred men, was to encounter columns at least twenty-five
thousand strong, led by Stonewall Jackson! The forlorn charge was made,
but the martyr-leader, with the majority of his dauntless troopers, soon
baptized the earth upon which he fell, with his life blood. But the
precious sacrifice was not in vain. The Rebel advance was greatly
checked, as when a trembling lamb is thrown into the jaws of a pursuing
pack of ravenous wolves.

The two determined generals improved these dear-bought moments in
planting their own batteries, and getting in readiness also several guns
which had been abandoned by