George H. Gordon, From Brook Farm to Cedar Mountain

[153] he fight here? It was thought that he might: so a flanking column was again organized, to proceed along the north side of the creek to the middle road, then turning south to follow it to New Market; thus turning Mount Jackson, Rude's Hill, and all other strong positions on the road. The turning column comprised two brigades, one of Shields's division commanded by Colonel Dunning, and my own. With orders to attack Jackson in rear or join the main column if he had fled, I moved off at noon, accompanied by signal officers to keep up a constant communication with the main column. The sun was then pouring down a blasting heat, the men were tired already from their early start, and the road was a succession of quagmires and stone ledges. The column kept pretty well up until we made our first halt, where we struck the middle road, about a mile and a half from the pike. Here we found a house, rather pretentious for the country, with a cupola affording our signal officers an extensive view; and across the road a store, which with the house was owned by one Rinker. As a Virginian, Rinker did not invite us to partake of his hospitality: both house and store were closed. While we rested, some of our men, becoming too inquisitive, broke the fastenings to the store, and began to levy upon straw hats for the summer campaign. I had observed the unhappy Rinker flitting uneasily around, and was not unaware of his mingled emotions of rage, fear, and cupidity. The man had objected to the signal officers using his cupola, and had borne himself as one defiant before his enemy; but this breaking into his store unmanned him in a moment, and he begged for my interposition. I pitied him, and restored some of his property; although enough was retained to punish what I then thought was one of the most pestilent Rebels that ever cursed the Yankees. What became of Rinker and his