The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

A HE VIE IV OF ALDIE. 129
The following extract is from the Campaign of Stuart's Cav-
alry, by Major H. B. McClcllan, pages 303, 304 and 305.
Early in the morning Col. A. N. Duffie had crossed the Hull
Run Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap. His orders directed him
to encamp at Middleburg on the night of the 17th, and to pro-
ceed the next day towards Nolan's Ferry, extending his march
to the west as far as Snickersville : These orders seem to have
contemplated a somewhat extended scout by this regiment on
the left flank of Gen. Gregg's division, a hazardous movement
in the presence of an enterprising enemy. Col. Duffie reached
Thoroughfare Gap at 9.30 A. M. and was somewhat delayed in
crossing the mountain by the picket from Chambliss command.
By eleven o'clock however he was fairly on his way towards
Middleburg. At four o'clock P. M.,he struck the pickets which
Stuart had established for his own safety outside the town, and
drove them so quickly that Stuart and his staff were compelled
to make a retreat more rapid than was consistent with dignity
and comfort. Having with him no force adequate to contest
the ground with Duffie's regiment, Stuart retired towards Rec-
tors' Cross Roads. Munford was notified of his danger and di-
rected to withdraw from Aldie, and Robertson and Chambliss
were ordered to move immediately upon Middleburg. The only
hope for Duffie's regiment now lay in an immediate advance
upon Aldie, where he might have created considerable commo-
tion by attacking the rear of the First Virginia Cavalry on the
Middleburg road. But he did not know this, and his orders
were positive, requiring him to encamp for the night at Middle-
burg. He therefore made the best of the situation by dis-
mounting one-half of his regiment behind stone walls and barri-
cades, hoping he might be able to hold his position until reinforced
from Aldie, whither he sent Capt. Frank Allen to make
known his situation at brigade headquarters. Capt. Allen
reached Aldie, after encountering many difficulties, at nine
o'clock P. M. He says in his report: " Gen. Kilpatrick informefl
me that his brigade was so worn out that he could not send any
reinforcements to Middleburg, but that he would report the sit-