At the Battle of McDowell on May 5, Robert Schneck's division unsuccessfully attacked Stonewall Jackson's army and on June 8, Fremont's entire command engaged Jackson again at the Battle of Cross Keys, where Blenker's German troops in their first battle were routed from the field. By the end of the month, Brig. Gen Carl Schurz wrote to President Lincoln that the German regiments were suffering from hunger, lack of tents and shoes, and were barely able to fight. Of the 10,000 men Blenker had had with him in March, less than 7000 were still present for duty in late June.