The havoc wrought by the Confederate attack of August 26th on the Federal
supply depot at Manassas Junction is here graphically preserved. When
Jackson arrived at sunset of that day at Bristoe's Station, on the Orange
& Alexandria Railroad, he knew that his daring movement would be reported
to Pope's forces by the trains that escaped both north and south. To save
themselves, the troops that had already marched twenty-five miles had to
make still further exertions. Trimble volunteered to move on Manassas
Junction; and, under command of Stuart, a small force moved northward
through the woods. At midnight it arrived within half a mile of the
Junction. The Federal force greeted it with artillery fire, but when the
Confederates charged at the sound of the bugle the gunners abandoned the
batteries to the assaulters. Some three hundred of the small Federal
garrison were captured, with the immense stores that filled the warehouses
to overflowing. The next morning Hill's and Taliaferro's divisions arrived
to hold the position. The half-starved troops were now in possession of
all that was needed to make them an effective force. Jackson was now in
position to control the movements of the Federal army under Pope.
[Illustration: GUARDING THE "O. & A." NEAR UNION MILLS