Twilight Clash

With his army reunited, Confederate General Robert E. Lee looked for an opportunity to strike the enemy and proposed attacking the Federal left flank south of the Warrenton Turnpike. As evening drew on, General James Longstreet proposed instead a reconnaissance in force to secure a foothold near the enemy from which to launch a major attack the next morning. At about the same time, General John Pope mistakenly concluded that the Confederate army was retreating, chose to pursue, and ordered a Union division westward on the turnpike toward the small hamlet of Groveton. As the head of the Union column ascended this hill near sundown, it collided with Longstreet's troops making their reconnaissance. Although darkness prevented decisive action, the engagement temporarily altered battle plans and instilled caution on both sides. It showed that the Confederate army was not retreating, but the clash also denied the Confederates the foothold they sought near the Federal army. Before dawn, the Confederates quietly pulled back to their original positions west of Groveton.

Haymarket, Virginia · United States