MANASSAS GAP, Engagement of. Gen eral Lee, in retreating from Gettysburg, crossed the Potomac at Williamsport, into the Shenan doah Valley, and 15 July 1863 marched to Bunker Hill, and occupied the gaps of the Blue Ridge. On 19 July he ordered Longstreet to march next morning to Culpeper Court House, by way of Front Royal and Chester Gap. Gen eral Meade crossed the Potomac at Harper: Ferry and Berlin, on the 17th and 18th, moved up the Loudoun Valley along the eastm side of the Blue Ridge; and on the 21st Mel rites brigade of Buford's cavalry division, pushing well up into Manassas Gap, skirmished with the 17th Virginia Infantry, and took 20 prisoners, from whom it was ascertained that Lee was moving up the valley with the evident intention of passing to the east of the Blue Ridge. Meade ordered the Third, Fifth and Second corps to march upon Manassas Gap, directing General French, commanding the Third corps, then guarding Ashby's Gap, to hasten to Buford's support. Before dark of the 22d French reached Piedmont, and Birney's division was pushed forward to Buford's aid followed by the remainder of the corps, and at daylight of the 23d entered the Gap and re lieved Merritt's cavalry, which moved up to Chester's Gap. Meanwhile, at dawn of the 23d Hood's division of Longstreet's corps had marched from Front Royal and, relieving the 17th Virginia, was deployed in the Gap where it was relieved during the morning by Wright's brigade of about 600 men of R. H. Anderson's
division, under orders to hold the Gap until relieved by Ewell, then marching from Win chester. Wright's brigade was deployed at the west end of the Gap, and Rodes' division, with two batteries of artillery, coming to its sup port, drew up about 600 yards in rear, and sent 250 sharpshooters to take position on its left. These dispositions were completed about 2 P.M. Meanwhile Birney's division had ad vanced, steadily driving in the Confederate out posts and from Wapping Heights beyond which was Wright's line. About 4 P.M. Spinola's Excelsior bigade and two regiments of Ward's went forward at a charge and, sweeping past Wapping Heights, engaged Wright's men in a close and severe fight, driving them back upon Rodes, who stood firm, the artillery checking the Union advance about dark, Rodes' line not being engaged, and losing but 15 killed and wounded. Wright's loss was 19 killed, 83 wounded and 66 missing. French's loss was 21 killed and 84 wounded. Ewell fell back to Front Royal during the night. Next morning the Union advance marched to Front Royal, but all of Lee's army had passed and, marching swiftly through Chester and Thornston's gaps it took position on the south side of the Rappa hannock. Consult 'Official Records> (Vol. XXVII) ; Humphreys, (From Gettysburg to the Rapidan.'