Then he laughed aloud and calling to his equally fiery young officers, told them of the great spoil that waited upon quickness and daring.
The whole force galloped away for the supply train, but before it reached it the storm fell in all its violence upon Stuart and his men.
Despite rain and darkness Stuart pushed on.

He said afterward that it was the darkest night he had ever seen.

A captured negro guided them on the final stage of the gallop and just when Dick was riding back to camp behind Colonel Winchester, Stuart fell like a thunderbolt upon the supply train and its guard.
Stuart could not drive wholly away the Northern guard, which though surprised, fought with great courage, but he burned the supply train, then galloped off with prisoners, and Pope's own uniform, horses, treasure chest and dispatch book.

He found in the dispatch book minute information about the movements of all the Union troops, and Pope's belief that he ought to retreat from the river on Washington.

Doubtless the Confederate horseman shook his head again and again and laughed aloud, when he put this book, more precious than jewels, inside his gold braided tunic, to be taken to Lee and Jackson.
But these things were all hidden from the little group of weary men who rode into Pope's camp.