The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-05
TIE VALLEY OF TIE SHENANDOAH.
Opening Of the Battle by Gen
Fremont,
&e, de-, IL.
Our Army Correspondence.

Our army C0rrespOndence.
FRONT ROYAL, Juno 2, 1862.
March of Troops from Fredericksburg to Front Royal
Description Of the Viuage-A Skirmish With the
Enemy-Roate of the Enemy-Cdptve Of Cdnnon-A
Railroad Accidem-Names Of Killed and Wounded, dc
Thursday telegraphc despatch summoned US from
the verdant valley of the Mataponox, and before the
hue had lifted from the meadows our gallant boys were
steadily ampng the hot and dusty road back to Frede
rcksbnrg disappointed but not disheartened Meeting
the stern necessity OF return to Catletts like the
generals with the sang od OF veterans, they forgot
brilliant hopes whose inspiration had smoothed the
weary towards Richmond and airy castles, tinged
with the coming glory Of bivouack in the rebel capital
vanished with the tents, that lifted BY magic from
the broad sunny Slopes while officers and men, with the
elasticity OF youth, turned to the promise Of victory
the Shenandoah. Leaving sufficient force At Frede-
rcksburg for either defensive offensive operations
NC pushed up the bluffs Of Falmouth, past the ridge
whore woke the echoes OF the hills six weeks
BEFORE past the narrow lane where cavalry broke
upon the rockke defence Of the enemy and brave true
men went down in the short, fierce struggle Of the
midnight ambuscade. and out into the dull mo-
notony Of Virginia commons. The wheat that
hardly brushed the ankles Of our skirmishers
We bore down upon the retroatng enemy little
than month ago, waved in long heaviug swells
the fields and the oaks then bare and lonely rustled
pleasantly the breeze stretched over us
como shade. Catetts looked dssoate than ever.
and nothing but the expectation Of the arrival Of the
trains relieved the ennui which bears down like in
cubus upon the spirits Of every pilgrim TO it, water
soaked and fever breeding fats. ;.
:, The work Of smbarkation speedily concluded and
away va steamed I the valley, Via Manassas Junction
and the Gap. few miles from the junction, the ruins
of the burned camp Of the 109th New York regiment
disngurs the landscape little further on, dsmountsd
quaksr half hidden in the grass by the side of its
hastily improvsed carriage indicates that strategy"
belongs alone the chvary Nearer the ridge the
barren fields productive only Of rambling fern and sassa
fras merge into grassy meadows and fertile hills until
one lost in admiration Of natures lavishnsss with
which the slopes Of the Bull mountain have been
blessed, and which bursts upon the view with
ceedng beauty every angle Of the road At Markham
station small party Of US left the train and pushed
toFront Royal, twelve miles distant, horseback As
we entered the dce through the Blue Ridge tho
sun struggled out from the heavy banks Of fog lighting
up the valleys with ndescrb able briancy; while huge
waves Of mist retted and torn by jagged spurs dred
across from peak to peak-now rolling down like an
avalanche into deep ravinss. and them again. sweeping
mp the cins with steady, onward surge, vanishing
like mirage. On the western slope of the ridge
10 country is more rugged, and the road
becomes in many places unpeasanty preciptous. Bold
bus, with ragged crests shut in the prospect; the
mountain streams leap furiously down. as II in test Of
speed; gucbes stretch away from deeper chasms and
massive boulders obstruct the road; while here and
there the ancient rocks piled tier tier with rampant
baston scarp and pitt stand out Ike giant fortresses
guarding the beauty Of natures treasures garnsrsd
among the hills Just beyond the ridge the heavy boom
Of cannon rolling up tho valleys, and from head
land caught . glimpse Of the smoke drifting OF
from the mountains Of the Shenandoah while the shocks
Of artillery beat more rapidly the morning air.
Dashing down the mountain and through the romantc
village OF Front Royal which resoundsd with the rumble
OF wagons and chatter OF boots, mingled with the music
Of the church bells calling to morning service hasten
ed towards the Of conflict when surprise
brought up against pcksts and found that
instead Of our own column Fremont upon the enc
my. About two O'Clock p. NJ the cannonading ceased,
and front resting only just beyond the Shenandoah
One General, with brigade Of cavalry, pushed on to
Sasburg before which he encamped at two O'Clock
this morning, the guard OF Jacksons forces
plying the place. Hnother General started by rail this
morning make dash upon strasburg but finding the
bridge over the Shenandoah partially destroyed,
compelled TO return. But for this barrier the trains
would have up within short distance Of the village,
where the troops would have dsembarksd and doubt
less succeeded In capturing the rebels in the place
The bridge will be repaired to-day, and in the mean
time advance Of the Union forces down the valley
will, 10 expected compel the enemy to svacuats the
place The little village Of Front Royal which Of late
has become so famous Is situated at the western
Manassas Gap and consists Of two three
churches, . few mills, tavsrns, an apothscarys
Enlistment and about thirty residences It
bered over three hundred inhabitants, and Is al
most entirely deserted, by soldiers The rail-
way depot burned the rebels Friday last whom
they driven out by Gen. Shields The village
occupied by the Twelfth Georgia regiment, and
taken BY the cavalry OF Shields DIVISION who charged
down the town. chasing the rebels the She
uAndoah and saving all the bridges. One hundred aud
Sorty prisoners taken and are confined in the
rgs hospital buildings erected last summer by the
rebels Our forces had eight killed and four wounded.
The enemy carried of their dead and wounded, and
We have no means Of estimating their loss. OF
there was great rejoicing among our own men who
were captured by the rebels few days ago, and
our wounded In their hospital recovering quite
rapidly they would have done under rebel
The depot burned By the ensmylast Friday had in
immense amount Of iron and horse shoes, and Of
Abe cars destroyed was loaded with arms-nothing of
them remaining save bent barrels and dssectsd
lscks The railroad bridge and the turnpike bridge
the north fork Of the Shenandoah fred By Colonel
Kenys troops and saved by the rebels. Several
bonds Of clothing and equipments left In the retreat Of
General Banks we're removed BY the rebels last week
and whsn General Shields rssoek the place. nothing
found save two trains Of cars and few wagon loads Of
csrn.
magnificent rinsd r. FOUNDER steel gun captured
from the enemy Saturday together with number Of
prisoners and several wagons heavily laden with bar
ness. The cannon bears the following inscription
BIAKyLy'G PkrKr
FAwCnn, PRESTON Co.,
Liverpsol, Makers.
:
The prospect Of battle with jackson Ia At present
sssdi.gly dubious, he will hardly attempt TO Withstand
sur advance down the valley while the fall Of Richmond
80 positively certain, but win continue 70 fall back
aAl his of nnerafions no longar In danger with