"Longstreet was delayed by the enemy at Thoroughfare Gap. This is a mountain gorge, not long, but narrow, rocky, and precipitous. It was capable of stubborn defense. Its echoes were wonderful--a gun fired in its depths gave forth roars fit to bring down the skies. Here Longstreet had to stop impatiently until he could work his way through. He knew Jackson was hard pressed on the other side and praying for a sight of him. It took a little time, but we sent a flanking force over the mountains by a rocky path and the enemy gave way speedily and left the gap early. Pushing through we saw the dust of Jackson’s masses miles away and heard his guns. Forward we pressed almost at a run, and in time. The attack on Stonewall ceased as soon as Longstreet came on the scene."
Source: Recollections of a Confederate Staff Officer
Commentary
As Longstreet along with all the army's supply trains hurried to join Jackson and reunite the Army of Northern Virginia -- a march which rivaled that of Jackson's famed "foot cavalry" -- he met enemy resistance at Thoroughfare Gap, the quickest route for Longstreet through the Blue Ridge. Buford's cavalry, having been on reconnoitering duty at the Gap was replaced by Rickett's division of McDowel's command, the latter attempting to resist Longstreet's divisions under D.R. Jones and Hood before Wilcox, having been sent around through Hopewell Gap on a flanking maneuver, forced him to retire.
Longstreet was through the mountains by that evening, and the following morning, his troops awoke to the sounds of Jackson's guns on the fields of Manassas. Following is Sorrel's brief account of events leading up to Longstreet taking the field at 2nd Manassas.