Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-05-31
ri WAR In VIRGINIA!
BANKS COLUMN DRIVEN BACK
Report. from. tie Federal Prs.,.

We have the Cincinnati Commercial Of the
26th, which contains several reports concerning
the recent battles between the Federal column,
under Cen. BANKS, and the division OF Stone
Wall" JACKSON, la the valley Of Virginia. II
is evident, from the tone of the dispatches, that
the defeat of the Federal army WAS a signal one
and of rs much Importance rs has been claimed
by our dispatches from Richmond also, thai
the advantages gained, snd the ia jury inflicted
upon the enemy, are incalculabl,
The first report is dated Washington, May
25th, which says:
Dispatches received by the Wa Department
state that Banks was attacked at Winchester
this morning, aud has fallen back towards
Martinsburg and Hsrper's Ferry The enemy
is reported in large force. 1t is reported that the
rebel force has left Richmond, and has moved
north TO to take the offensive
Ii is stated tha' BANKS had moved from StGas
burg TO Winchester to secure his stores and
trains From this point he fell back The fol-
lowi. g is the official dispatch of the Federal
commander, which acknowledges the Tepulse of
his forces
blsy 2s-24O 2
Hon, I. Al. Stanton
The rebels attacked US at dsy-bTeSk in great
force, estimated at Is 5000, consisting Of Ewell's
and Jsckson's divisions. Our right and left
wings stood we'll for a while, when two Tegi-
msnts broke lines under fire of the enemy, the
right wing fell back, and were ordered to with
draw.
They passed through town ia considerable
oo,E--so, 80 rgF,r,,o1 an1 oon4.u4.ad 20 r,orob
in good order TO Msrtinsburg, % miles distant
Our entire force was less than 1000, consisting
Of GOTdOn's and Donnelly's brigsdes, with two
regiments Of cavalry under General Hatch, and
two batteries of artillery. 0uT loss was consid-
cradle, as was that of the enemy, but cannat
now be stated.
Another dispatch says that Z" BANKS had made
good his retreat across the Potomac st Viii
Transport " that Gen. sAxToN's command was
at Harper's Ferry" and that the ConfederAtes
" were understood to be advancing from Win
chester to Hsrper's Ferry Washington was
greatly excited by the intelligence from the val
ley of the Shenandoah, and so well was the
result understood to be a complete defeat of the
Federal army, that it is announced that " prompt
measures had been taken at Washington TO meet the
eLigeRcy" The authorities seemed to be fully
impressed with the idea that JACKsoN's, Ew-
ELLIS, and a large part of J%oHNsTON's forces,
had been united, and were making an sggrss-
sive movement, embracing within its scope the
capital Hence the " sIigeHey" to be
met.
The Commercial in its editorial remarks, says
% the country viii be surprised by the intelli-
gence that BANKS has fallen bsck beyond the
Potomac" and endeaVors to weaken the force of
he disaster by asserting that the column had
been much weakened by a movement of
B%LEEKER's division to FREMONT's department,
nd the command of SHIELDS to that of Nc
The Confederate forcs " in West
and Central Virginia has suddenly become
srge and demonstrstive." JACKSON was there
his veterans, is a better solution of the
ause Of the Federal disasters. The sooner they
orm a correct opinion of the determination of
he privstes il the Confederate amy, the more
advantageous it will be for them. We expect
III nen to BE- 81 administrative, /" and to be found
3 battle is the most strongly antici-