In the afternoon I discovered the enemy's train passing to the left toward Manassas and opened upon it with two pieces very briskly. Before I could do so Major-General Stuart ordered me to take position in a skirt of woods near by and to the west. Thus obliged to retire, I did so toward Groveton, where I received an order from Brigadier-General Taliaferro to report him. This I did, and drove off the advance down the Warrenton road, but after some time discovered them on my extreme left forward Manassas. I instantly brought up the rifled pieces and Forty-eighth, and after a race beat the enemy to the hill and opened on them, driving in their cavalry and skirmishers but finding them place several guns in position, which they served with rapidity and accuracy, and pressing their infantry on me, I called on Major Seddon, and with his re-enforcement determined to hold the hill, which was the key of the surrounding country. Riding forward, I got on a high hill to the right of the road and discovered the enemy in force, their skirmishers pushing rapidly on me. My own, being smooth-bore, I held in reserve and in rear.
The Forty-second Virginia, Captain Penn, I threw forward as skirmishers, and held the Twenty-first, Captain Witcher, to support the only two pieces of rifle artillery I had, which had been placed under my command by Colonel Brien, First Virginia Cavalry. I ordered Major John Seddon, First Virginia Battalion, with his command, and the Forty-eighth Virginia to take position on the road from Groveton toward Manassas to guard against any flank movement on me from thence.
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