further directed by the fire of the
artillery and the desultory fire of the cavalry.

Surgeon Moore gives the following account of this affair: "We do not
hesitate in saying, and have good reason to know, that had any want of
firmness on the part of the leader, or any indecision or vacillation
appeared, and a mischance occurred, this splendid command would then and
there have been lost.

"But with unflinching and steady purpose, bold bearing, and a mind equal
to the emergency, the general rode to the head of the column, reassured
his frightened people, and, notwithstanding the intense darkness that
hid friend from foe, made such skilful dispositions, and then attacked
the hidden foe with such impetuosity that he fled in wild dismay,
leaving his guns, a battle-flag, and four hundred prisoners in the
victor's hands.

"The pass was gained, and Pennington's and Elder's guns were soon
echoing and reechoing through the mountain defiles. The artillery opened
thus on the flying columns of the routed foe, who, with wagons,
ambulances, caissons, and the _debris_ of a shattered army, were rushing
in chaotic confusion down the narrow mountain road, and scattering
through the fields and woods on the plains below."

All night long Kilpatrick and his successful followers were gathering
the spoils of their evening work. Wagon after wagon was overtaken,
captured, and destroyed, while hundreds of prisoners were easily
captured. This daring exploit placed Kilpatrick in advance of the Rebel
army, giving him a fine opportunity to obstruct their pathway of
retreat, and to destroy whatever could be of any use to them. Had he not
been cumbered with so many prisoners, it is not in the power of any one
to estimate the damage he would have done. In his official report he
says: "On this day I captured eighteen hundred and sixty prisoners,
including many officers of rank, and destroyed the Rebel General Ewell's
immense wagon-train, nine miles long."

It should be stated that these wagons were mostly laden with the ripened
and gathered crops of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and with the plunder of
private and public stores, including dry goods and groceries of every
variety and quality. None who saw it will ever forget the appearance of
that mountain road the day following this night's foray.

Stuart, who was ingloriously defeated at Monterey, retired towards
Emmitsburg with about fifty prisoners that he had captured during and
after the fight.