Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1862-06-27

Gen. Thomas y. .uckson.---ZHe Campa:qae
a's the Vakzey-Battle Of Cross Keys
and Leacssto1a.
To The Editor OF the Whig.
AS the public will, no doubt, be anxious to
learn all they can in regard to the glorious cam
paign of Jackson in the Valley, have concluded
to give you such particulars as regard to be
authentic.
In reviewing the operations of Gen. jackson
for the last thI ee months. it will be found that
he has probably accomplished more, in that
briet period, with the means at his command
than ever was achieved by any other General Of
ancient or modern times. believe that his
campaign during the Spring will compare fav-
orably even with the almost incredible achieve.
nlents of Napolean in his celebrated campaign
in Italy. With handful of citizen soldiers,
but partially drilled and poorly armed and e.
uuipped, he has in little more than sixty DAYS
marched over five hundred miles, fought about
twelve battles-fve of which were pitched bat
sles-defeated four Generals-routed four ar,
Inies-captu:ed millions OF dollars worth of
stores, &c, aud killed, wounded and secured
as prisoners, almost many of the enemy as
he had soldiers under his command These
are startling assertions, but they are literally
true Explore the pages of history and see
whether they afford the record of more brilliant
successes.
In the latter part Of March, jackson was at
Winchester, with abont 8 or 1000 men. Be.
sng pressed by superior force, he was compel
led to fall back before the hosts of Gen Banks
Slowly and in good order he retired up the VAL
ley, contesting every inch OF ground. At kerns,
town he turned upon his pursuer, and for two
successive days gave him battle. And here per
init me to remark, that the recent occupation
of the lower Valley by our forces has enabled
us to gather facts in regard to those battles
which add new lustre to the gories of those
fights. 1t is now ascertaned that Jackson's
force at kernstown was not much over 500.
whilst That Of the enemy was 10000. OF the
enemy $50 were buried IN Winchester and on
the battle field. many others were sent home
for interment, and 500 were wounded, whilst
our loss in killed and wounded was less than
500. The S4th Pennsylvania Regiment went
into the battle with 500 men and came ont
with 800.
Having taught the enemy this severe lesson
Jackson continued his progress up the Valley.
hololng the whole army of The enemy in check
untll ne con:d obtain reinforcements. Arriving
at Harrisonburg, with his men wearied and ex.
hausted by continual marching and skirmishing.
jackson left the main Valley road and turned
on eastward on the Swift Run Gap road. His
ooJect was to cross the Shenandoah river and
having placed this strong defence between him
ana the enemy, to lie quiet to give his men a
chance to rest-to watch the movements of the
eaemy, and to await the reinforcements. Here
ne was joined by Gen. Ewell, but their united
iorce was not sufficient to meet the enemy in
the open field.
IL must be remembered too, that at this
time Staunton and the upper part of the Valley
were threatened by large force from the west
under Milroy. Gen. johnson, with about s.
200 men, was the only obstacle to the advance
OF Milroy. Being thus with command of leas
than 10000 men, Including Johsson s sand threat
ened by Banks, with an estimated force Of 3d.
uoo on one side, and Mlroy with six. or eight
thousand on the other, he was obliged to accom-
Piish by strategem what he could not effect in
open held. To this end, he moved across the