There Early, who was in command of the rear guard, was endeavoring to save the trains, which were heaped up in great confusion.

Sedgwick, after a distant cannonade, reported the position too strong to be forced.

It was a plain, two miles wide, surrounded by hills, and it would not have been difficult to take it, but Sedgwick knew Meade favored the "bridge of gold" policy, and was not disposed to thwart the wishes of his chief.

In my opinion Sedgwick should have made an energetic attack, and Meade should have supported it with his whole army, for our cavalry were making great havoc in the enemy's train in rear; and if Lee, instead of turning on Kilpatrick, had been forced to form line against Meade, the cavalry, which was between him and his convoys of ammunition, in all probability might have captured the latter and ended the war.

Stuart, it is true, was following up Kilpatrick, but he took an indirect route and was nearly a day behind.