Could this be the answer? “we met the celebrated Stonewall Brigade, utterly routed and fleeing as fast as they could run.”

See Branch’s report below.

No. 55. Report of Brigadier General L. O'B. Branch, C. S. Army, commanding-Brigade, with extracts from his journal.

HDQRS. BRANCH'S BRIGADE, A. P. HILL'S DIVISION,

August 18, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that on Saturday, August 9, while on the march toward Culpeper Court-House, I was ordered to halt my brigade and form it in lie of battle on the left of and at right angles to the road. The formation was scarcely completed before I was ordered to advance in line through the woods and thick undergrowth, a heave musketry fire being hear not far from my front. I had proceeded about 100 yards when I commenced meeting the men of a brigade, which had preceded me, retreating in great disorder and closely pursued by the enemy. Opening ranks to permit the fugitives to pass, and pressing forward in unbroken line, my brigade, met the enemy, who had already turned the flank of General Taliaferro's brigade, which was on the right of the road. Not in the least shaken by the panic-cries of the fugitives, and without halting, my regiments poured volley after volley into the enemy, who broke and fled precipitately through the woods and across the field. On reaching the edge of the field I discovered the enemy in the field. On reaching the edge of the field I discovered the enemy in force on the opposite side, and halting my brigade in an eligible position, opened fire along the whole line. For a time the enemy stood their ground, but we were within good range across an open field, and the execution we were doing, clearly perceptible to the eye, compelled them to commence breaking. Now it was that their cavalry attempted to charge upon General Taliaferro's brigade, which had partially rallied after I had cleared their flank. The cavalry moved diagonally across my front, presenting to me their flank. The combined fire of Taliaferro's brigade (in front) and mine (in flank) broke up the column and sent it fleeing to the rear. My brigade immediately moved forward in pursuit of the retreating enemy, and while I was hesitating in the field, in doubt what direction I should take, Major-General Jackson came up, and by his order I changed front so as to incline to the right, and pushed on to a point some distance in advance of the battle-field, at which he had ordered me to halt. The battle having terminated in a complete rout of the enemy, my men slept on the ground they had so bravely won.

My officers and men behaved finely, and I refrain from discriminations. Such was their steadiness that I was able to preserve my line of battle unbroken throughout the day.

Captain F. T. Hawks and Lieutenant J. A. Bryan, of my staff, were with me and conducted themselves gallantly.

Your obedient servant,

L. O'B. BRANCH,
Brigadier-General.

Major R. C. MORGAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Extract from General Branch's journal, covering period August 6-13.

AUGUST 13, 1862.

I am now, with my brigade and the balance of A. P. Hill's division, encamped 5 1/2 miles from Gordonsville, on the road leading to

Orange Court-House. We reached here last night. I will give you a brief journal of our movements since I wrote: . . .

. . . Saturday morning at 1 o'clock we were roused by picket-firing in front and the brigade was immediately under arms. In a few minutes I received and order to march forward. Continued the march [without] stopping until about 2 o'clock in the evening, when our advance came up with the enemy, posted and ready to give us battle. General Jackson was present in person to command on our side. General Ewell was ordered to take possession of a mountain on our right.

General Jackson's own division, commanded by General Winder, was on the left. General Hill's division was placed behind General Jackson's to support it. The battle commenced and raged for a short time, when General Jackson came to me and told me his left was beaten and broken, and the enemy was turning him and he wished me to advance. I was already in line of battle and instantly gave the order "Forward, march." I had not gone 100 yards through the woods before we met the celebrated Stonewall Brigade, utterly routed and fleeing as fast as they could run. After proceeding a short distance farther we met the enemy pursuing. My brigade opened upon them and quickly drove the enemy back from the woods into a large field. Following up to the edge of the field, I came in view of large bodies of the enemy, and having a very fine position, I opened upon them with great effect. The enemy's cavalry attempted to charge us in two columns, but the fire soon broke them and sent them fleeing across the field in every direction. The infantry hen retreated also. Advancing into the field, I halted near the middle of it, in doubt which direction to take. Just at that moment General Jackson came riding up from my rear alone. i reported my brigade as begin solid and asked for orders. My men recognized him and raised a terrific shout as he rode along the line with his hat off. He evidently knew how to appreciate a brigade that had gone through a hot battle and was then following the retreating enemy without having broken its line of battle, and remained with me directing my movements until the pursuit ceased. We returned and slept on the battle=field among the dead an wounded.

After remaining there and near by until Monday at dark, . . . .

L. O'B. BRANCH
OR V12, Pt. 2, pp. 221-224