The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-10

General BANKS Onicial Report or tho
Engagement 1T Front Royal, May 23,

General Banks Onicial Report or tho
Engagement at Front Royal, May 23,
1864.
DsrAR MINT on THE SHENANDOAH, May 81, 1852
To the Hon. Z. NJ. STANTON. Secretary OF War
Snln pursuance Of orders from the War Department,
Colonel John R. Kenly, commanding First Maryland Vol
untsers the 10th day OF May from Srasburg
to Front Royal with instructions retain the troops
under Major Tyndais, attached to General Gsarys
mand and to protect the town OF Front Royal and the
railroad and bridges between that town and Srasburg.
The forces under his command consisted his rsgi
mont CTS available men), two companies from tho
Twenty ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieutenant
Colonel Psrhan commanding the Pioneer corps Captain
Mapes engaged in reconstructng bridges two
Of the Fifth New York cavalry and section OF Knapps
battery Lieutenant Atwell commanding. There were
three companies Of infantry stationed the road
Strasburg-ths Second Massachusetts, Captain Russell
at the bridge; one company OF the Third Wisconsin.
Captain Hubbard and company tho Twenty seventh
Indiana about ave miles from Strasburg.
This force intended az guard for the protection
OF tho town, and partly against local guerilla parties
that infested that locality, and replaced companies
Of infantry with cavalry and artillery which had
pied tho town for weeks, under Major Tindale,
Twenty eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the
purpose. II had never been contemplated defence
against the combined forces OF tho enemy in the valley
Of Virginia.
Front Royal Is in itself an indefensibls position. Two
mountain valleys dsbouch suddenly upon the town
from the south, commanding 1t by almost inaccessible
hills; and is at the time exposed to flank
ments oy other mountain valleys, via Strasburg on the
west and Chester Gap tho east.
The only practicable defence OF this town would be by
force sufficiently strong hold these mountain passes
some miles in advance Such forces not At my
disposal, and such expectations were entertained
from the slender command OF Colonel Keny. 1t
guerilla force and not organized and well appointed
army that be was prepared to meet
On the Esd of May II discovered that the whole
force Of the enemy was in movement down the valley
Of the Shenandoah between the Massanutten Mountain
and the Blue Ridge and in close proximity To the
Their cavalry had captured considerable number Of
our pockets before the alarm given Tho little band
whch was charged with the protection of the railroad
and bridges found itself instantaneousy compelled
clio Sc between an immediate retreat contest with
keny was not the man to avoid contest. at whatever
odds lie Immediately drew his troops in the order
he had contemplated in OF attack Of less Importance
Tho disposition OF his forces had been wisely made
sst force equal to his own and the best perhaps that
could have been devised in his more pressing emer
gency.
About O'Clock 2. N. the alarm was given that
the enemy was advancing on the town in force
The infantry companies drawn up in line
of battle about one half or mile in the
rear OF the town. Five companies detailed sup
port the artillery which was placed on the crest Of
hill commanding meadow Of extent over which
the enemy must pass to reach the brdgssone company
guarding the regmsntal camp nearer to the river on tho
right Of the line.
The companies. three in number, left guard the
town, wore soon compelled to fall back upon the main
the battery the camp, under Lieutenant Colonel
Dushane and five companies the left under Colonel
opened fire upon the enemy advancing from the hills on
the right and left well supported by the infantry doing
much damage A detachment Of the Fifth New York
cavalry was ordered to advance upon the road which
YVES attempted, but did not succeed. They held this
position for an hour when they were compelled to
treat across the river. which done In good order
their camp and stores having been first destroyed
On the opposite side their limos again formed,
and the battery, in position, opened Its fire upon the
enemy while fordng the They were again ordered
to move left in 'front.' the Winchester road and had
proceeded about miles when they were oversken by
the enemys cavalry, aud fearful fight ensued, which
ended in the complete destruction OF the command
Colonel keniy at the head Of his column was wounded
In this action. The train and gun captured.
One gan was brought within five miles oil Wnchss-
tor and abandoned bv Lieutenant Aweli only when his
horses were broken down The enomys force is
mated at eight thousand. Tbs lighting mostly
by tho cavalry the side Of the rebels, with active
support from the infantry and artillery. Our
did not exceed nine hundred men, They held their
ground manully yielding only to the irresistible power
Of overwhelming numbers Prisoners captured since the
affair represent that our troops fought with great
valor, and that the losses OF the enemy were
large. A prisoner captured near Nartnsburg who
in the Front Royal army, staos that twenty five
were killed in the charge the Buckton station. Six
companies OF cavalry charged upon troops that
place. The Killed and wounded numbered forty odd.
Among the killed Captain Sheats and Cap, ain
Fletcher, The name OF the prisoner is John ssyor
II is impossible ~ this time to give detailed account
Of our losses Reports from the officers of the regiment
represent that bu, eight commissioned officers
hundred and twenty men have reported OF these OH
five were in the engagement, two absent detnch
ed service, and one furlough. All the rsgimental
officers were captured Colonel Ksnly. who was repre-
sened To have boon killed understood held
prisoner He Is severely wounded. Lieutenant Atweli
reports that Of thrtycgh attached to his battery
nate, and suffered comparatively little loss Undoubtcd
~ large numbers Of the command viii yet return, but 1t
is impossible 10 speculate upon the number.
have honor ask attention reports Of the
remaining officers Of the First Maryland regiment who
participated III the engagement giving their account OF
the same, and that OF Lieutenant Awell, commanding
the battery. Other reports will doubtless be made by
officers having perfect knowledge Of the affair and
more exact statement Of the losses but are not At this
have the honor to be, with great respect your ODE
dent servant, n. r. BANKS,
Major General Commanding
Gen hanks Omcial Re port OF the March
OF the First Division, Fifth Corps
d'Armee, from strasburg, Va, TO will
Transport, Md, ON che a4th and a5th
days OF May, 1864.
DEPARTMENT or THE SHENANDOAH, May u, 1882.
Hon. +. NJ. STANTON, Secretary Of War
SrR-Information received on the evening OF Nay
20 that the enemy very large force had descended
the guard Front Royal Col Keny First Mary reg
rnent, commanding, burning the bridges and driving
troops towards strasburg with great oss. Owing to
what was deemed extrayagant statement Of tho
enemys strength these reports were received with
some distrust; but regiment Of infantry with strong
detachment Of cavalry and section Of artillery,
immediately sent 10 reinforce Col. Kenly Later tbs
evening, dispatches from fugves who had escaped
Winchester informed US that Col Kenlys force had
been destroyed with but few exceptions and the
900 or 10000 strong, were advancing by rapid
marches on Winchester.
Orders were Immediately given 10 halt the reinforce.
msns sent to Front Royal which had moved by different
routes, and deachments Of troops under experienced
officers sent in every direction explore the roads
leading from Front Royal TO strasburg Middletown
aud Winchester, and ascertain the force position
and purpose Of this sudden movement OF the
enemy II found that pickets we're in POS
session Of every read and from every quarter
represented him movement, in the rear OF his pick.
cts, in tho direction Of our camp
Of the souid ior