Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-19
From the Richmond WhiC.
From the Richmond Wing.
General Thomas J. JaCkecn-SEe Campaign la tho
VaIsy-BattIo of CrCss-Lxeys and Lewiston.

From the Richmond Wing.
General Thomas j. JacIz.c"-ghe Campaign la tho
VaIl,y-BattIe of Cross-Exeys ond Lewiston.
To the Editor of the Wing:
As the public will, no doubt, be anxious to learn al
they il regard to the glorious campaign Of jackson
in the Valley, have c2@ciuded to give you such par
tcuIars as | regard to be authentic.
In reviewing the operations Of Cen jackson, for the
last three MONTHS it will be found that he has probably
accomplished more in That brief period, with the
at his command than was achieved by any other
General of ancient m0derh zines believe that bis
campaign during the Spring will compare tav0rably
even with tie almost incredible achievements OF Nap0-
leon in bis celebrated compaign in Italy With hand
fu Of citizen soldiers, but partially drilled and poorly
armed and equipped be has, in little than sixty
DAYS, marched over five hundred miles, fought about
twelve battes-five of which pitched battleS-de
feated four Generas-rOuted four arniescaptured mil
lions of dollars worth of stores &c, and killed. wound
ed and secured prisoners almost many OF the enemy
as he had soldiers under bis command These start
ling assertions but they are literally true Explore the
pages OF history, and whether they eord the record
of more brilliant successes.
In the latter part of March, jackson was at Win
chester, with about three four thousand men. Being
pressed by superior force, he compelled to fall
back before the hosts of Gen. Banks. Slowly and in
good order he retired up the Valley consting every
iGch of ground. At Kernstown he turned upon his
pursuer and for two successive days gave him battle
And here permit me to remark that the recent occu-
|
US to gather facts regard to those battles which add
new ustre to the gories of those fights, 1t is
certained that Jacks0n's force at KernstOwn not
much $500, whilst that of the enemy 900.
OF the enemy $50 were buried il Winchester and on
the battle field many Others sent home for inter-
ment, and 800 were wounded, whilst our loss in Kill
led aud wounded less than 800. The 84th Penn
sylvaria Regiment went into tie battle with 500 men
and came out with 800.
Having taught the enemy this severe lesson Jackson
continued his progress up the alley holding the whole
army Of the enemy IN check until be could obtain rein
forcements Arriving at Harrisonburg, with his men
weared and exhausted by continual marching and Skin
mshng, Jackson left the main Valley road and turned
of eastward on the Swift Run Gap road. His object
the Shenandoah river, end having placed
this strong defeDce between him and the enemy to lie
quiet to give his men chance to rest-tO watch the
movements OF the aud to await the reinorCemens
Here be Joined by Gen. Ewe but their united force
not sufficient to meet the enemy in the open field
1t must be remembered too that at this time Stanton
and the upper part of the Valley threatened by
large force from the Wts under Milroy. Gen. John
son. with about 500 men, the only obstacle to the
advance of Miroy. Being thus with command ofle2s
than 10000 men, including Johnsons and threat tened
by Banks, with an estimated force OF $4,000 on
sde and Miroy with six eight thousand the Other
| be was obliged to accomplish b7 strategem what he
could not effect in open field 10 this end, he moved
across the Blue Ridge if with the view Of uniting
with the forces of Gen. jos. E. Johnston. He took
care however to leave Ewes forces concealed n the
gorges of the mountains, Swift Rum and AsAbys
cavalry to picket tie country closely to cut eff all
information from the enemy to his true purposes The
maneuvre efectuay deceived Banks, and he forthwith
telegraphed to Washington that jackson had evacuated
the Valley and fed to Gordonsvile In day or two
jackson turned up at Staunton, and fastening to join
Gen. Ed. johnson. he fell upon Milroy at Mcdowell,
and routed him. and pursued him to Franklin in Pen
dleton county.
In the meantime, Banks supposng that jackson was
east of the Ridge, weakened his force bysendng Shields
ment to reinforce Mroy jackson having thus cleared
his left aank by dispensing Mroys forces FASTENED by
the nearest route towards Haisonburg where be could
act In conjunction with Ewel. Ewel came out of his
hiding place. and while portion OF the eonont forces