ight and thus pass over the mountain
by a pathway or road leading into the turnpike one and a half miles
from Beverly; and to guard against this he ordered Col. Wm. C.
Scott, with the 44th Virginia, then at Beverly, to take position
with two pieces of artillery at the junction of the roads mentioned,
and to scout well the flanking road.( 6)

The unexpected presence of the enemy at the summit of the mountain
is thus explained, and the reliability and faithfulness of the
guide vindicated. Captain De Lagnel, as well as Rosecrans, was
doomed also to a surprise.

Rosecrans' command debouched from the wooded mountain and along
its crest upon the rear of De Lagnel's position, and new dispositions
of the Confederate force had to be made to meet the attack.

The position of De Lagnel's force was on and near the line of the
turnpike as it passed over the mountain, and hence Rosecrans'
column, in its approach from the southward, having gained the
heights some distance from the road, was from a greater elevation.

The 10th Indiana, under Colonel Manson, was in advance and received
the first fire of the enemy.

After a delay of some forty minutes, during which time the enemy
was receiving reinforcements, and both sides rectifying their
positions to the real situation, the order to advance and attack
was given by Rosecrans, and though the troops were new and little
drilled, they were well led and responded gallantly. The battle
proper did not last beyond fifteen minutes. The Confederates made
a brave resistance, but they were not exceeding 800 strong, and
though they had the advantage of artillery, they were not advantageously
posted, consequently were soon overthrown, their commander being
shot down, and 21 prisoners, about 50 stand of arms, 2 pieces of
artillery, and some supplies taken. The Union loss was 12 killed
and 69 wounded, and the Confederate loss probably about the same.

Captain De Lagnel was, by both sides, reported killed, and his
gallantry was highly lauded.( 7) General McClellan and others of
the regular army officers assumed next day to recognize his body
and to know him, and to deplore his early death. He had been
shortly before, as we have seen, captured as a _Union_ officer at
Fayetteville, N. C., and had at a still later date resigned from
the U.S.A. His alleged death, being generally reported through
the Confederacy, was made the occasion of many funeral sermons and
orations, eulogizing his _Sout