General Judah kept as close as possible to the rebels, but between them and the river, when the doing so was practicable, until Morgan reached Jackson. Judah then pushed for Centreville, thinking that the enemy would take that route for the river; but he avoided it, and went through Winchester and Vinton toward Pomeroy, and thence north of that to the scene of action. So soon as it had been definitely ascertained that Morgan was pushing eastward, the Union gunboats, Moose, Reindeer, Springfield, Naumkeag and Victory, under command of Lieutenant-Commander Le Roy Fitch, were prepared to do service in the coming engagement. These boats had been patroling the river from an accessible point below Ripsey to Portsmouth, but as soon as they were required upon the scene of action the Moose, towed by the Imperial, started up the stream, and was followed at regular distances by the rest of the boats. The Moose made the foot of Buffington Island on Saturday night, and remained until next morning, without changing position, on account of a dense fog. The rebel force upon the opposite side of the shore took position under cover of artillery, in an extensive corn and wheat field, skirted by hills and woods on its north and east sides. The rebels had their artillery placed on the highest elevation on the east and completely commanded the Pomeroy road, over which General Judah’s force came filing along unaware of the close proximity of the enemy. It should be noted here that the old stage road to Pomeroy, over which Morgan came, and the lower road traveled by Judah meet in an acute angle three-quarters of a mile from the battle-field. General Judah’s column came along the lower road within range at six o’clock, after marching all night, having started from Pomeroy, and not being as fresh, by five or six hours’ rest, as the enemy. The rebels met the National troops in solid column, and moved in battalions, and at the first fire repulsed the advance, which was too far ahead to be assisted by the Union artillery. Although the rebels had here their best opportunity, they did not follow it up; and the Union troops having fallen back to bring up their artillery, the fighting continued in a desultory manner until General Judah got his artillery into position and drew the lines of his army completely around the enemy. His troops then made a furious onset upon the rebels, and drove them back over the field to the shelter of the woods beyond. By a fortunate circumstance Commodore Fitch learned the exact position of the enemy, and was enabled so to direct his guns as to shower shell into the midst of their ranks, and render very signal service to the Union troops on the field.