Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-06-05
THE BATTLE AT FRONT ROYAL!
TERRIBLE CARNAGE!
FIRST MD. REGIMENT DE-
STROYE D
REBELS HOIST THE BLACK FLAG!
No Quarter Given!
Gallantry of the Boys !!
7 Hours Hard Fighting !!

On Monday Goth there arrived via the
Northern Central Railroad, twenty members
of the lst regiment Maryland volunteers.
From one OF them the following particulars
Of the late fight at Port Royal was CLEANED :
During Thursday night of the 22d the en-
emy could be seen in the mountains, but it
was supposed that their force was small,
consequently but little attention was paid
them. On Friday morning squads of rebel
cavalry made their appearance at several
points for the purpose of learning tho Fede-
raj strength. After accommodating for nearly
an hour they departed, and nothing was
seen of them until noon, when the pickets
were driven in. The long roll was called
and preparations Immediately made for Civ
ing the rebels warm reception. The Ma
ryland boys did not wait many moments
before the rebels, five thousand strong, made
their appearance.
Our informant describes this last encounter
as terrible in the extreme, while tho work of
Geath was progressing, night came on, and
it was impossible to distinguish friend from
foe. Finding it impossible to withstand the
overwhelming odds, the Maryland regiment,
THAT is what was loft of them) managed to
escape. Our informant states that when he
quilted tho camp pit was in flames. The reg
ment lost evory thing, and out Of the entire
command but about 60 escaped
The hatred to all Mary land soldiers by the
rebels appears to bo tho most malignant.
They would with the butts OF their muskots
dash out the brains of our wounded as they
lay on the ground
The impression of those who escaped is
that Col. Kenly was wounded and then made
prisoner. He fell CALAMITY leading his men.
and urging them to fight for the honor Of
old Maryland. The other officers Of the reg
imcnt fought most nobly.
The fight Immediately began with great
fury on both sides. The Maryland boys
charged bayoncts six times, driving the reh-
els back five times. The last charge was
made on the retreat to camp, where most
gallant and heroic stand was made. 1t was
here that the greatest loss to the gment
occurred. Colonel kenly had by this time
been wounded and carried off by the rebels
Adjutant Frederick Tarr called to the men
80 stand firm and fight to the last. His C m
mands were herocally obeyed, az the sequel
will show. The word to stand firm had
hardly been uttered, when two thousand OF
the rebel cavalry came laundering into camp.
The carnage now became terrible. The rch-
els were splcndidly armed, and cut down
the Maryland boys with savagcEess never
before witnessed in a civilized country
The rebels displayed number of black
flags, indicating that no mercy would be
shown, and we'll did they carry their motto
out. When the rebels made this charge they
shouted, ''kill every s-n of a b-h let not
,nc of them escape"
Captain George Smith states that Compa-
~ A, Captain Kugler, was ordered to de-
,loy as skirmishers and support a section of
inapp's Pennsylvania Battery, which mus
cred about forty men. In the meantime
he Lieutenant Colonel OF the goth Penn syl-
'ania Infantry, with small detachment Of
ncn who had been acting as pioneer corps
lso formed and prepared to receive the enc
ny. The battery was soon engaged and
scharged shot and shell for nearly two
ours, and until all their ammunition had
een expended. The firing was spirited and
here is no doubt Of its efficacy in decimating
he overwhelming opposing force. Unable,
,g attack, the order was given to retire,
'hich was done, and the entire column
,oved over the Shenandoah river, the re-
eat being covered by company of the
fifth New York Cavalry, about eighty in $
umber. Whilst passing over the bridge q
le Captain distinctly saw the Confederate i
'rces. There was very strong column of i
'valry, say four squadrons (eight compan- k
~ and five regiments of infantry. OF this n
REQ two regiments of infantry and two of h
'valry were fording the stream, the water {
ling very low. The order "double-quick" =
as given, and the Federals took to the
ke, where another stand was made, COL ;,
emily addressing the men and telling them ,
at their only chance was to stand and :,
,ht to the last, especially as Confederate p
valry were fast pursuing them and dis 6;
aging black flag. A second stand was
ade and many shots exchanged, when the
sw York Cavalry, still in the rear of the
lumn, broke and retreated, riding pell- "
Ill through the ranks of the infantry. -
A part of the Maryland command re- :,
,ated to wheat field and there made !,
Ii another stand, firing rapidly and with
liberation and precision Presently on