At this time the enemy made a simultaneous advance upon Madison Court House, Staunton and Charlottesville, at which latter place Custer’s division of cavalry was fought by Brethod’s battery of horse artillery, composed mainly of Maryland soldiers, without support of any kind; and so bold and vigorous was their defence that Custer retired with loss, under the impression that a large force confronted him. The column advancing upon Madison Court House, consisting of two divisions, was engaged and held in check nearly a day by Jackson’s brigade, the fight having begun in the morning and lasted until 9 P. M. The battle was closed by a charge of the First Maryland upon the left flank of the enemy, which was most advanced. The charge was made less effective by reason of the leading squadrons stumbling into a deep and wide ditch, which, owing to the darkness, could not be seen until too late to prevent the horses from falling. But although not damaging the enemy to the extent hoped for, it had the effect to break and scatter his line in confusion, and keep him quiet for the balance of the night. After waiting for some time for further demonstrations from the enemy, and there being none, General Jackson quietly withdrew his brigade a few miles, and the men lay down in the snow, which covered the ground to the depth of ten inches, to get a little rest. In the meantime General Lomax, who had been notified in the beginning of the enemy’s advance, was assembling at Liberty Mills his different brigades, which had necessarily been scattered in order to subsist. By daylight General Jackson was moving to that point, where, after partaking of some food, the troops were directed to throw up rude breastworks, which was done by piling fence rails along the banks of the stream. This had scarcely been accomplished when the enemy made his appearance and deployed most beautifully on the opposite hills, when a brisk skirmish began, which continued all day and until night, when the exhausted troops were ordered to unsaddle and seek some rest, but they had barely dismounted when a courier dashed up and reported that the enemy had crossed the stream, and that they were to be charged at once. In an instant the gallant troopers sprang to their horses, and Jackson’s brigade dashed at the enemy’s advance. For some time the ground was stubbornly contested, when Jackson’s column to the right and left of the First Maryland broke, which compelled the whole to fall back. They were quickly rallied, however, when a desperate charge was made, and the enemy in turn compelled to retire. Lomax then withdrew his division to Gordonsville, where it rested that night, and at daylight it was again drawn up in line of battle to meet the enemy, who had made his appearance. A sharp but brief conflict ensued, in which the enemy was repulsed, when he withdrew, and finally retired by the road he came to Winchester. CHAPTER X.