Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-28

and three cannon. The killed and wound
ed were only few on either side. A new
! Vermont cavalry regiment were the active
ones in this affair, and we're never before
IN fight Next day the 29th were sem
three or four miles below to guard two
fords. Fremont was after jackson on the
valley pike, some u miles to the north.
west. 4 was expected that jackson might
como across 70 Front Royal. Fremont en-
! gagged him and NC plainly heard the small
arms when We were stationed at the fords.
I believe that the victory resulted in Ere
mont's favor Jackson retreating up the
pike McDoRell's forces following us
from fredericksburg, were arffting by this
time, and cur division marched on to Luz
ray, 70 milesup the river, found the bridge
burnt which crossed the river on the road
70 New Market forcing the Division 70
stop. In q day or sows moved on 9 miles
/ up the river, least side TO the Columbian
Mills and found the bridge at that place
also burnt. Ihapioneer corps set TO work
getting out and hauling timber to rebuild
il, but II has never been finished. COntin.
uing In this vicinity two or three days
We marched on to Port Republic some 25
or 30 miles above, afler sending an ex.
ira baggage, trunks and knnpsacks back
to Luray. On our way found two or three
bridges which had crossed the river. re-
Gently burnt-arriyed on the second day
afternoon and found Fremont engaging
Jackson on the West Side Of the river at
Cross Keys, two or three miles or more dis
tant the result Of the 6gHt you have prob
ably ere this seen in the papers, Two
forks Of the Shenandoah unite at Port Re-
public, the town lying between. After the
fight with Fremont jackson crossed the
west river into the town, burning the
bridge behind him. Our 4th brigade was
directed TO hold or burn the east bridge,
don't know which, but were repulsed
and failed to do either. (,lE
After laying over night, Jackson eugag-
ed US, having crossed the other river dur
ing the night, burning the last bridge to
prevent Fremont from coming over TO help
US. We had just got through our break
fast when the ball opened and our htae
force went bravely TO the work. Only the
Sd and 4th Brigades were there, the lst
and ID not having yet arrived, in fact be-
ing ten miles back. I think there must
have been a screw loose somewhere in the
management The fight lasted four hours,
and was pretty hot, and well our small
numbers contested the day, driving the
enemy back two or three times from the
several positions taken by him, and with
severe loss his side. The loss on our
side was COMPARATIVELY small, as near as l
could judge by the killed and wounded
which, saw Of both sides, at least in our
Regiment, but fresh rebel troops in over
whelming numbers, coming in on our left
we were forced 70 retreat to prevent being
completely surrounded 3 besides our am
munition was all fred away.
must say for our cid 29th, that she did
nobly. Bully for herP also saw the DO
sition Of the bloody 7th, and she nebly
sustained her reputation. Bully for the
7tht too. As for the other regiments
cannot speak, not knowing their several
positions, but they have the credit Of doing
well, and undoubtedly they aid do well, OF
we couldlnot have held the field 50 long.
jackson and Ewell' s forces were combined
land I think there was another rebel Gen
erals force there too, and numbered from
3a feaHf 5 odds&fB6iee fBie P6Fafsegts94 6as 9 S0Rg Rqgs
good while the fight lasted. The 29th
brought up the. rear in the retreat, and was
OMDlHIIAy NAN VI W AAAlAkAJ AL4 Gek AL
both, and I believe an ambush had been
laid in piece Of woods, around which the
road took short turn to the right at least
could hear them on my left, after had
got out Of the clutches Of those behind.
The men were told to each one to take care
Of himself / with eight others, made good
our escape into the Blue Ridge mountains,
and were Joined at night by another squad
and in the merning BY still another, in
creasing our number to twenty-nine. Eat
ing the few mouthfuls we had we passed
on over the mountains eastwardly, through
a cold and drenehing rain, to settlements
on the road from GoFdonsville to Port Re-
public. We found ave Of Jaeksons men
within halfa mile Of his camp, part of
his force being there, while some, together
with his trains were moving on towards
Charlottesvills, while a strong rear guard
was left back TO take care Of the wounded
< left on the field, and bury the dead We
took our prisoners and went back again
over the mountains, again, one Of them be-
4 ing frightened into acting as guide,
- After climbing up one side and then
down the other Of two or three steep noun
tsfns, $50 steep that we were sore and lame
all over for. three days afterwards, J we f.
nally got into the same track taken on
our eastward way, which was deep gorge
running into the mountain from the west
l and down which flowed stream called Big
Run. There was an old unused road run
ming up the same gorge, Eve or six miles
to where shingles had Formerly been made
Tin the WU0ds.-M etraTefed down this road,
! arriving near the opening out into the val
4 ley Just at night. Here the road took a
sharp turn TO the left over q spur Of the
j mountain, as the gorge became too marrow
for road. A part Of our squad, with the
prisoners, went down the run, while nine
Of US, thinking the travelling down the run
too much like hard work, kept the road and
came out some three miles nearer the field
! of battle than the mouth Of the run. Com
] ing out on the main road, we, after care
fully reeonnoitering, went into q house to
4 get some food, as we were nearly starved.
4 Could get nothing, but found Eve Of our
wounded and one dead man there, in the
care Of the rebels. We then left for the
river, and went down two miles or more,
found something TO eat, and sGaid all night
at q darkey,sr house. We we're informed
that rebel eavalry were scouting the cOun-
try to capture our scattered men. There
were some Of the cavalry at the house that
Z day. But we were too sore and tired to e
furthsrbut stil were bound 10 be vigilant
After breakfast we were set across the riE.
er. That day We went only two or three
miles, as we were very lame, eating si1
times. Saw lots Of rebel cavalry across thu
river, who discovered US, but concluded t,
/ make no demonstration no doubt they
were fearful that We might give them fiti
if they attempted to ford the river.
Next day we pressed a boat into Uncl
Sam service, and went navy fashion dewl
! the river or 10 miles. Stopped at tn
house Of a widow lady who owned some
thing ike hundred Of the Heulfadn pop
ulation, over aiSbt, end next day tool
another seeesh- solder urisona, ond tol,