However, Heintzelman and McDowell conducted a personal reconnaissance that somehow failed to find Jackson's defensive line, and Pope finally made up his mind to attack the retreating Southerners.
Imidlertid foretog Heintzelman og McDowell en personlig rekognoscering, og de kunne ikke finde Jacksons defensive linje, og Pope besluttede sig nu endeligt for at angribe de retirerende sydstatsfolk.