Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-06-18
How Gen. Banks Army was Saved.
WILLIAnsPORr, Nd, May &c, 1862.
LIE A d ~

MILLIAMsPORT, Md, May &c, 1862.
DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER You have
probably heard by this time of the three
days lighting from Strasburg and Front
/ Royal to Martinsburg. Our company and
company B were ordered to Front Royal
IN the mountains, twelve miles from
Srasburg, last Friday, and when we got
within two miles of our destination we
heard cannonading. The Major ordered
the baggage to stop, and our two COM
pahles dashed on, and found seven COM
p'tnleS of our infantry and two pieces of
artillery engaged with several thousand of
the enemy. Just as we arrived on the
held, Colonel Parem, who had command
OF our forces, rode up to me and ordered
me TO take one man and the two fastest
n0Ises IN our company and ride for dear
lie to Gen. Banks headquarters to Stras-
Durg for reinforcements. The direct
road to Strasburg was occupied by the en-
emy, so was obliged to ride round by
another road seventeen miles. | rode
the seventeen miles in fifty-fve minutes.
Gen. Banks didn't seem to think ityery
serious, but ordered one regiment of in
iantry and two pieces of artillery off. II
asked Gen. Banks for fresh horse to re-
lom my company, and he gave me the
pest horse that | ever rode, and | start |
ed back. came out on the Front Roy
al ike, about two miles this side of
where | left our men. Saw two men
standing in the road, and their horses |
standing by the fence. supposed they |
were our pickets. They didn't halt me,
so asked them if they were pickets |
They said no. Says /, .'Who are YOU ?"
We are part of Gen. Jackson's staff
supposed that they were only joking
laughed. and asked them where Jack
son was. They said he was in the advance.
lett them and rode towards Front Roy
al, TIL overlook soldier, and asked him
what regiment he belonged to- lie said
he belonged to the Eighth Louisiana. l I
asked how large u force they had and the
reply was, twenty thousand" | turned
back and drew my revolver, expecting
either desperate fight or Southern Jail;
but the officers in the road didn't stop me,
and was lucky enough not to meet any
oil Their pickets. Bnt If it was not mar
row escape, then don't know what Is.
When got out of the enemy's lines, |
rode as fast rs the horse could carry me
to General Banks and reported what
lad seen and heard. lie said had saw
ed the army. In less than an hour the
whole army was in motion towards Win
chester. After left Front Royal to take
he trst dispatch to Strasburg, our two
companies of cavalry, who were covering
he retreat of the infantry and baggage,
we're attacked on three sides by about
hree thousand of the enemy's cavalry
Dur boys fought like devils, till nearly
lalf of them were killed or wounded, and
hen retreated to Winchester. We had {
| battle at Winchester, got licked, and
Our company and company f ;
we're ordered to cover Parrot gun bat :,
cry, and bring up the rear. We rode all
he way from Winchester to Martinsburg |
Tith cannon shot and shell flying around
IS faster than it did at Bull Rum
We crossed the Potomac last night.
t was so dark we couldn't find the ford v
nd had to swim our horses across. We
ave got our batteries in position on this
de, and the rear of the army is crossing. !
rom your son, .
CHARLEY II. GREENLEAF,
Company ID, 5th n. y. Cavalry.