ter with six pieces of artillery, and participated in the fight of the next morning. Nothing could surpass the celerity and spirit with which the various companies. of cavalry executed their movements, or their intrepid charges upon the enemy. General Hatch deserves great credit for the manner in which he discharged his duties as chief of cavalry in this part of our march, as well as at the fight at Winchester, and in covering the rear of our column to the river; but especially for the spirit infused into his troops during the brief period of his command, which, by confession of friend and foe, had been equal, if not superior, to the best of the enemy's long-trained mounted troops. From this point the protection of the rear of the column devolved upon the forces under Colonel Gordon. "The guard having been separated from the column, and the rear of the train having been attacked by an increased force near the bridge between Newtown and Kernstown, Colonel Gordon was directed to send back the 2d "When it was first reported that the enemy had pushed between us and Winchester, General Hatch was ordered to advance with all his available cavalry from Strasburg, leaving Colonel DeForrest to cover the rear and destroy stores not provided with transportation. Major Vought, 5th New York cavalry, had been previously ordered to reconnoitre the Front Royal road, to ascertain the position of the enemy, whom he encountered in force near Middletown, and was compelled to fall back, immediately followed by the enemy's cavalry, infantry and artillery. In this affair five of our men were killed and several wounded. The enemy's loss is not known. After repeated attempts to force a passage through the lines of the enemy, now advanced to the pike, General Hatch, satisfied that this result could not be accomplished without great loss, and supposing our army to have proceeded but a short distance, turned to the left, and moved upon a parallel road, made several ineffectual attempts to effect a junction with the main column. At Newtown, how- Massachusetts, Lieutenant-Colonel Anever, he found Colonel Gordon holding drews commanding, the 27th Indiana, the enemy in check, and joined his bri- Colonel Colgrove, and the 28th New gade. Major Collins, with three compa- Yew York, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, nies of cavalry, mistaking the point where to rescue the rear of the train and hold the main body of cavalry left the road, the enemy in check. They found him at dashed upon the enemy until stopped by Newtown with a strong force of infantry, the barricade of wagons and the tempes- artillery and cavalry. The 2d Massatuous fire of infantry and artillery. His chusetts was deployed in the field, suploss must have been very severe. Six ported by the 28th New York and the companies of the 5th New York, Colonel 27th Indiana, and ordered to drive the DeForrest, and six companies of the 1st enemy from the town; and the battery Vermont cavalry, Colonel Tompkins, was at the same time so placed as to after repeated and desperate efforts to silence the guns of the enemy. Both form a junction with the main body--the these objects were quickly accomplished.. road now being filled with infantry, ar- They found it impossible to reach Midtillery and cavalry-fell back to Stras- dletown, so as to enable the cavalry unburg, where they found the Zouaves der General Hatch to join the column, d'Afrique. The 5th New York, failing or to cover entirely the rear of the train. to effect a junction at Winchester, and Large bodies of the enemy's cavalry also at Martinsburg, came in at Clear passed upon our right and left, and the Spring with a train of thirty-two wagons increased vigor of his movements demonand many stragglers. The 1st Vermont, strated the rapid advance of the main Colonel Tompkins joined us at Winches- body. A cavalry charge made upon our ENGAGEMENT AT WINCHESTER. 463 troops was received in squares on the the fire of the enemy. Their infantry right and on the road, and in the line of opened on the right, and soon both lines the left, which repelled his assault and were under heavy fire. The left was gained time to reform the train, to cover occupied by the 3d brigade, Colonel its rear, and to burn the disabled wagons. Dudley Donnelly commanding. The line This affair occupied several hours-the was weak compared with that of the enregiments having been moved to the rear emy, but the troops were posted, and about six o'clock, and not reaching the patiently awaited, as they nobly imtown until after twelve. proved, their coming opportunity. The "The strength and purpose of the ene-earliest movements of the enemy were my were to us unknown when we reached Winchester, except upon surmise and vague rumors from Front Royal. These rumors were strengthened by the vigor with which the enemy had pressed our main column, and defeated at every point the efforts of detachments to effect a junction with the main column. At Winchester, however, all suspicion was relieved on that subject. All classesSecessionists, Unionists, refugees, fugitives and prisoners-argued that the enemy's force at or near Winchester was overwhelming, ranging from twenty-five thousand to thirty thousand. Rebel officers who came into our camp with entire unconcern, supposing that their own troops occupied the town as a matter of course, and were captured, confirm these statements, and added that an attack would be made upon us at daybreak. I determined to test the substance and strength of the enemy by actual collision, and measures were promptly taken to prepare our troops to meet them. They had taken up their position on entering the town after dark, without expectations of a battle, and were at disadvantage as compared with the enemy. The rattling of musketry was heard during the latter part of the night, and before the break of day a sharp engagement occurred at the outposts. Soon after four o'clock the artillery opened its fire, which was continued without cessation till the close of the engagement. The right of our line was occupied by the 3d brigade, Colonel George H. Gordon, commanding. The regiments were strongly posted, and near the centre covered by stone walls from on our left, two regiments being seen to move as with the purpose of occupying a position in flank or rear. General Hatch sent a detachment of cavalry to intercept this movement, when it was apparently abandoned. The enemy suffered very serious loss from the fire of our infantry on the left. One regiment is represented by persons present during the action, and after the field was evacuated, as nearly destroyed. The main body of the enemy was hidden during the early part of the action by the crest of the hill and the woods in the rear. Their force was massed apparently upon our right, and their maneuvers indicated a purpose to turn us upon the Berryville road, where, it appeared subsequently, they had placed a considerable force, with a view of preventing reinforcements from Harper's Ferry. But the steady fire of our lines held them in check until a small portion of the troops on the right of our line made a movement to the rear. It is but just to add that this was done under the erroneous impression that an order to withdraw had been given. No sooner was this observed by the enemy, than its regiments swarmed upon the crest of the hill, advancing from the woods upon our right, which, still continuing its fire, steadily advanced towards the town. "The overwhelming force of the enemy now suddenly showing itself, making further resistance unwise, orders were sent to the left by Captain DeHautville, to withdraw, which was done reluctantly, but in order, the enemy having greatly suffered in that wing. A portion of the troops passed after, two squadrons of cavalry came dashing down the road with wild hurrahs. They were thought to be the advance of the anticipated support, and received with deafening cheers. Every man felt like turning back upon the enemy. It proved to be the 1st Maryland cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Wetschky, sent out in the morning as a train-guard. Hearing the guns, they had returned to participate in the fight. Advantage was taken of this stirring incident to reorganize our column, and the march was continued with renewed spirit and ardor. At Martinsburg the column halted two and a half hours-the rear guard remaining until seven in the evening in rear of the town-and arrived at the river at sundown, forty-eight hours after the first news of the attack on Front Royal. It was a march of fifty-three miles, thirtyfive of which were performed in one day. The scene of the river, when the rear through the town in some confusion, but the column was soon reformed and continued its march in order. This engagement held the enemy in check for five hours. The forces engaged were greatly unequal. Indisposed to accept the early rumors concerning the enemy's strength, I reported to the department that it was about 15,000. It is now conclusively shown that not less than 25,000 men were in position, and could have been brought into action. On the right and left their great superiority of numbers was plainly felt and seen, and the signal officers, from elevated positions, were enabled to count the regimental standards, indicating a strength equal to that I have stated. My own command consisted of two brigades of less than 4,000 men, all told, with 900 cavalry, ten Parrott guns, and one battery of 6-pounders, smoothbore cannon. To this should be added the 10th Maine regiment of infantry, and five companies of Maryland cavalry, sta-guard arrived, was of the most animating tioned at Winchester, which were engaged in the action. The loss of the enemy was treble that of ours in killed and wounded. In prisoners ours greatly exceeds theirs. Officers whose word I cannot doubt, have stated, as the result of their own observations, that our men were fired upon from private dwellings in passing through Winchester; but I am credibly informed, and gladly believe, that the atrocities said to have been perpetrated upon our wounded soldiers by the rebels, are greatly exaggerated or entirely untrue. "Our march was turned in the direction of Martinsburg, hoping there to meet with reinforcements, the troops moving in three parallel columns, each protected by an efficient rear guard. Pursuit by the enemy was prompt and vigorous, but our movements were rapid and without loss. A few miles from Winchester, the sound of the steam whistle, heard in the direction of Martinsburg, strengthened the hope of reinforcements, and stirred the blood of the men like a trumpet. Soon and exciting description. A thousand The JACKSON CONGRATULATES HIS ARMY. "My command had not suffered an attack and rout, but accomplished a premeditated march of near sixty miles, in the face of the enemy, defeating his plans and giving him battle wherever he was found. Our loss is stated in detail, with the names of the killed, wounded and missing, in the full report of BrigadierGeneral A. S. Williams, commanding division, to which reference is made. The whole number of killed is 38; wounded, 155; missing, 711. Total loss, 905. It is undoubtedly true that many of the missing will yet return, and the entire loss may be assumed as not exceeding 700. It is also probable that the number of killed and wounded may be larger than that above stated, but the aggregate loss will not be changed thereby. All our guns were saved. Our wagon train consisted of nearly five hundred wagons. Of this number fiftyfive were lost. They were not, with but few exceptions, abandoned to the enemy; but were burned upon the road. Nearly all of our supplies were thus saved." Such was the masterly retreat of the army of General Banks through the valley of the Shenandoah before the superior forces of the enemy. His simple and admirable recital of the facts requires no comment. Promptness, energy, and presence of mind were in all ranks conspicuous throughout these two memorable days. The terms in which their triumph was celebrated by the Confederates sufficiently demonstrate the extraordinary efforts which had been made, and the superiority of their numbers in securing the result. General Jackson, from his headquarters at Winchester, on the 28th of May, in a general order, marked by that vein of religious enthusiasm which invigorated his actions, thus addressed his troops: "Within four weeks this army has made long and rapid marches, fought six combats, and two battles, signally defeating the enemy in each one, capturing several stands of colors and pieces of artillery, with numerous pris 465 oners, and vast medical and army stores. and finally driven the boastful host which was ravishing our beautiful country, into utter rout. The general commanding would warmly express to the officers and men under his command his joy in their achievements, and his thanks for their brilliant gallantry in action, and their obedience under the hardships of forced marches, often more painful to the brave soldier than the dangers of battle. The explanation of the severe exertions to which the commanding general called the army, which were endured by them with such cheerful confidence in him, is now given in the victory of yesterday. He receives this proof of their confidence in the past with pride and gratitude, and asks only a similar confidence in the future. But his chief duty to-day, and that of the army, is to recognize devoutly the hand of a protecting Providence in the brilliant successes of the last three days, which have given us the result of a great victory without great losses, and to make the oblation of our thanks to God for his mercies to us and our country in heartfelt acts of religious worship. For this purpose the troops will remain in camp to-day, suspending, as far as practicable, all military exercises, and the chaplains of the regiments will hold divine service in their several charges at four o'clock, P. M. to-day." General Joseph E. Johnston, in command of the army before Richmond, also took advantage of the occasion, in an address issued the next day, to stimulate the courage of his troops for the ever renewed conflict on the soil of Virginia : "The commanding general has the proud satisfaction of announcing to the army another brilliant success won by the skill and courage of our generals and troops in the valley. The combined divisions of Major Generals Jackson and Ewell, constituting a portion of this army, and commanded by the former, attacked and routed the Federal forces under MajorGeneral Banks successively at Front Royal, Middletown, and Winchester, ful country. In making this glorious ancapturing several thousands of prisoners nouncement on the eve of the memorable and an immense quantity of ammunition struggle about to ensue, the commanding and stores of all descriptions. The Fed-general does not deem it necessary to eral army has been dispersed and igno- invoke the troops of this army to emuminously driven from the valley of the late the deeds of their noble comrades in Shenandoah, and those who have freed the valley. He feels already assured of the loyal citizens of that district by their their determined purpose to make illuspatriotic valor, have again earned, as trious in history the part they are soon they will receive, the thanks of a grate- to act in the impending drama." CHAPTER LXIX. GENERAL FREMONT'S MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT AND CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA, MARCH-JUNE, 1862. THE reoccupation of the valley of the Shenandoah by the Confederate General Jackson, bringing once more the forces of the enemy to the line of the Potomac, was a startling phenomenon which could not fail to arouse the attention of the North, and demand vigorous action at the hands of the government. The cry was again raised of danger to the capital, and this at a time when the news of the capture of New Orleans was the topic of the day, and it was generally supposed that the great army of the Potomac was on the eve of entering Richmond in triumph! Was it the intention of the Confederates, leaving the hosts of McClellan at a safe distance in the rear, to break into Maryland, and make a sudden dash upon Baltimore or Washington? The war department, evidently alarmed on the subject, called hastily upon the governors of the Northern States for more troops, and by a special order of the 25th of May, it was declared that "by virtue of the authority vested by an act of Congress, the President takes military possession of all the railroads in the United States, from and after this date until further orders, and directs that the respective railroad companies, their officers and servants, shall hold themselves in readiness for the transportation of troops and munitions of war, as may be ordered by the military authorities, to the exclusion of all other business." The loyal governors responded promptly to the call. On the first intimation, previous to the retreat of General Banks that additional troops would be wanted, Governor Curtin replied: "Pennsylva nia will furnish any number required." The work of enlistment was speedily resumed in New York under an effective system of State organization. Governor Yates, ever ready to aid the government, called upon the people of Illinois to recruit the regiments which they had sent to the field. These," said he, "have nobly done their duty, and many of them have purchased lasting honor with the price of their lives, and it remains only for us to maintain what they have achieved, and therefore I call on the people of Illinois to raise men in every precinct of the State." Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, disappointed by the slow action of the government in recognizing the necessity for negro emancipation in the war, seemed for the moment to hesitate. On receiving a telegram on the 19th of May from the war department, asking how soon he could |
