centre rested at Mitchell's ford, on the direct road from Centreville to Manassas; and opposite this point, Jackson, it will be remembered, had been directed to take up his position.

The Federal army moved forward on the 16th of July, and on the morning of the 17th entered Fairfax Court-House, General Bonham, who commanded the Confederate advance guard at that place, retiring slowly before them. He continued to fall back all day, his rear skirmishing with the Federal advance; and after making a brief stand at Centreville after dark, and throwing up signals to warn General Beauregard of his approach, retired, at daylight on the 18th, within the lines on Bull Run.

About ten in the forenoon the enemy appeared, and opened an artillery fire upon the Confederate centre at Mitchell's ford; but the dense woods concealed the troops from view, and no loss was inflicted. This was followed by an obstinate attack upon General Longstreet, who was placed with 1,200 muskets at Blackburn's ford below. A force of about 3,000 Federal infantry drove in his advance on the north bank of the stream, and, supported by a heavy fire of artillery, attempted to force their way across the ford. Three vigorous charges were made to attain this object, but all were repulsed. Longstreet's infantry, although unprotected by earthworks, fought with great nerve, and the Federal infantry finally retired; the affair turning into an "artillery duel," as General Beauregard styled it, in which the guns of the Washington Artillery of New Orleans were handled with great skill, and inflicted some loss upon the enemy. Soon afterwards the Federal infantry retired from Longstreet's front.

Such was "the battle of the 18th," as it is called-the prelude to the greater struggle on the 21st. The Confederate loss was 15 killed and 55 wounded; the Federal loss 64 left dead upon the field, the number wounded not known.

These two unsuccessful attacks, at Mitchell's and Blackburn's fords, upon the Confederate front, induced the Federal commander to abandon the further attempt to break through Beauregard's line. His attention was now turned to the left

flank of the Confederate army, and preparations were made to strike a decisive blow in that direction.

On the night of the 20th all was ready for this movement, and at daylight on the 21st the Federal columns were far upon their way.

CHAPTER XII.

MANASSAS.

A GLANCE at the map will give the reader a clearer idea of the movements which now took place, than any description can convey.

Beauregard's forces were strung out along the southern bank of Bull Run, over a space of nearly eight miles-from Union Mills to Stone Bridge; and the design of the Federal commander was to move his main body silently through the woods to the Confederate left, cross the upper fords of the stream, and, falling upon Beauregard's flank, drive him back upon Manassas, or cut him off completely from that base. He would then be compelled to hasten from his earthworks, form line of battle anew with a powerful enemy pressing him, and, in case he was defeated, as he probably would be, the victory would be decisive.

The details of the plan of operations betrayed the skilful hand of Lieutenant-General Scott. One division of about 16,000 men was to remain behind at Centreville, to protect the Federal communications; another to march to Stone Bridge with orders to make demonstrations there; and a third to move up to Red House ford, with directions to wait until that point was uncovered Then a third was to cross at Sudley ford, still higher up, and drive away the Confederate forces at Red House ford and Stone Bridge, when the divisions there would cross; and thus a force of about 40,000 men would be concentrated upon the southern banks of Bull Run, directly upon Beauregard's