Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-06-25
GEN. JACKSON'S MOVEMENTS.

Tile Campaign in the Talley-Iast amount Of
cork pertor,aed-" .SlonenaUs" strategy-Bat-
ties OF Cross Kegs and Lepiston
A writer in the Richmond Wig, who s evident
ly thoroughly acquainted with Jacksons every
movement, furnishes the following interesting mar
rative of what Gen. jackson has accomplished in
the Valley during the past few months
In reviewing the operations of General Jackson,
for the last three months it will be found that he
has probably accomplished more, in that brief pc
riod, with the means at his command, than
achieved by any other General Of ancient or modern
times. l believe that his campaign during the
Spring will compare avorably even with the almost
incredible achievements of Napoleon in his cccbrat-
ed campaign in Italy. With handful of citizen
soldiers, but partially drilled and poorly armed and
equipped he has, in little more than sixty days,
marched over five hundred miles, fought about
twelve battles-five of which ere pitched battles
defeated four Generals-routed four armics-cap-
tured millions of dollars worth Of stores &c, and
killed. wounded and secured as prisoners almost as
many of the enemy he has soldiers under his
command.
In the latter part of March, Jackson was at Win
chester with about three or four thousand men,
Being pressed by superior force, he was compelled
to fall back before the hosts of Gen. Banks. Slow
~ and in good order he retired up the Valley con-
testing every inch of ground: At kernstown he
turned upon his pursuer, and for two successive
UayS gave MIN Dattc. Ana mere permit me 10 re-
mark, that the recent occupation of the lower Val
ley by our forces has enabled to gather facts IN
regard to those battles which adj uStre to the
glories of these fights It is ascertained that
Jackson's force at kernstown was not much over
$500, whilst that of the enemy was 1000. Of the
enemy $50 were buried in Winchester and on the
battle field, many others were sent home for inter
ment and 1900 were wounded, whilst our loss in
killed and wounded was less than 500. The s4,h
rH,1o u.a0f int fha hatt
500 men and came out with three hundred.
Having taught the enemy this severe lesson, Jack
son continued his progress up the Valley, holding
! the whole army of the enemy in check until he
could obtain renforcements. Arriving at Harrison
burg, with his men weared and exhausted by con-
tinual marching and skirmishng, jackson left the
main valley road and turned off eastward on thc
Swift RIM Gap road. His object was to cross the
Shenandoah river, and, having placed this strong
defence between him and the enemy, to be qniet to
give his men chance to reSt-to watch the move
ments Of the enemy, and to await reinforccmcnts.
Here he was joined by Gen. Ewel, but their united
force was not sufficient to meet the enemy in the
! open field 1t must be remembered, too, that at
this time Staunton and the upper part CT the Valley
were threatened by largo force from the West,
under Mroy. Gen. johnson, with about $500
men, the only obstacle to the advance OF MilrOy.
Being thus with a command of less than 10000
men, including Johnson's, and threatened by Banks,
with an estimated force Of 81, 900 on side, and
Milroy with six eight thousand on the other, he
was obliged to accomplish by stratagem what he
! could not effect in the open field. To this end he
moved across the Blue Ridge as if with the view of
uniting with the forces of Gen. Jos. e. Johnston.
lie took care however, to leave Ewelrs forces
cealed in the gorges of the mountains, near Swift
Run, and Ashby's cavalry to picket the country
closely, so as to cut off all information from the
enemy as to his true purposes. The manoeuvre ef-
tectualiy deceived Banks, and he forthwith tele
graphed to Washington that jackson had evacuated
the Valley and fled to Gordonsville! In day or
two jackson turned up at Staunton, and fastening
to join Gen. Ed. johnson, he fell upon Milroy, at
Mcdowell, and routed him, and pursued him to
Franklin, in Pendleton county.
In the meantime, Banks, supposing that Jackson
was east Of the Ridge, weakened his force, by send
another detachment to reinforce Miroy Jackson
having thus cleared his left flank by dispensing Mil
roys forces fastened by the nearest route towards
Harrisonburg where he could act in conjunction
with Ewell. Ewell came out of his hiding place,
and, while portion of the conjont forces marched
down the Valley turnpike towards Strasburg, to
which place the greater portion of Banks army had
fallen back the residue crossed the Massanutten
mountain, and hurried down the banks of the She
nandoah to Front Royal where they attacked and
captured the forces stationed at that point. The
sound of the Cannon gave Banks the first intimatou
OF the proximity of an enemy, and be Immediately
,, commenced his precipitate flight to Winchester.
AN effort was made to intercept him near Newtown.
MN me attempt was only partially successful The
s ".s Banks had passed the junction of the
Uau WIN w part Of his army before the wearied
.Gtses Oh jackson could come up with them He
pes'ee ;: nanks column however, and drove por.
h o. ~ !. southwark up the road, while the main
e4dy ea Ito sow WARDS Winchester running fight
Q p-rsuing Near Winchester the enemy made
stand, but the iuvincble columns Of Jackson bore