Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-30
The Retreat from sTraHburg---The Three
Days Operations.
Correspondence ofthe n. I. World
HAoERsToWE, Nd, Sunday, May %;
vprnarFis pr,rr~r,sa

HAGERsTOwE, Nd Sunday, May 25
FRIDAY's FIGHTNa.
The Maryland First had been sent from
StrasbuTg to Front Royal, a small village
twelve miles distant just beyond the Mas
sanuten range, which commences its course
Just at this point, and upon the eastern
bank Of the Shenandoah, over which is the
large bridge Of the Manassas Gap Railroad
which has now again for the third time been
destroyed by the rebels.
Yesterday, they were known to be in dan
ger, and so much had our apprehension for
them increased before night, that the COM
manding officers were ordered TO remain at
their posts 10 await Instructions. At mid
night words came to the different brigades
that the 'ineWs FROM Front Royal was very
unfavorable," with orders TO prepare to
march Immediately. ,f...
Col Kenly, the lamented officer Of the
Maryland First, received notice Of the ap-
proach Of the enemy only by the surprise
ane capture Of some Of his pickets. No in
simation Of their coming had been received,
aud il was, therefore, impossible to have
/ supported him in season to have prevented
the sad havoc which succeeded,
/ But he defended himself through the en-
! tire day with an ability and energy which
speak loud praises for him in the hearts of
all his loyal countrymen. With scarcely
/ thousand men in his command, he was
compelled to sustain himself against the
three full brigades Of Gen. Ewell, who had
abandoned his camp, fifty miles above in
the valley, for the purpose Of making this
descent upon a regiment OF loyal Mary
Ianders.
Three o'clock and detachment Of caval-
ry, one hundred men, companies B and /,
Of the Ira Harris Guard, commanded by
Major Vought, arrived from Strasburg, and
reported Immediately to Col. Kenley, who
ordered him at once to charge the enemy.
The cavalry obeyod the order, charging up
on them with great force, though greatly
inferior in numbers.
VIM. H Mapes, commanding pioneer
corps arrived and reported to Col. Henley,
who gave orders Immediately where they
should be stationed, and they continued
with the remainder Of the little force, doing
noble service, and holding in check success
fully not less than six times their number.
Seeing the danger of their position, the
commander Of the brigade gave the order
Ito retreat, which they did in excellent or
der across the Shenandoah Mapes was
then ordered to burn the bridge, which was
accordingly fred by placing upon it piles
Of fence rails, but was not destroyed. The
rebels came on 30 closely and hotly that we
were driven away, and did not succeed in
the attempt. They soon arrived at and
crossed the bridge on the north branch Of
the Shenandoah, which they succeeded in
firing and destroying, but not, however, in
detaining the rebels, who, cavalry and in
fantry, plunged in and forded it, and were
soon upon the other side. LJIL-.H
Soon was received the unYelcOme news
thatthe enemy had surrounded them, flank
ing them with their superior numbers both
by right and left
Z Our men, dhdaunted, dashed upon them
with such vigOr as to effect their escape,
and cut their way out from the coils of the
rebels thrown around them, not, however,
without being again surrounded and so eff
feetually beset on every side, behind and
before, with the most unsurmountable su-
periority both in the numbers and fresh
ness of the rebel troops, that they were
completely destroyed or captured, together
with their noble Colonel and other Field
officers. Trug9llFI rgTHqFaE
The severity Of the fight beggars all at
tempts ct description.
No man upon the field Of battle ever gov
erned his men with more cOolness, judg
ment and bravery than did Col. Henley.
His cry to his men was not 'go," but ''cOme
with me, and they did 50, every man of
them. When ordered to surrender, he shot
the one who demanded it, and when over
powered and summoned 70 give up his
sword, he broke the blade in halves, was
shot, wounded and placed in an ambu-
lance.
He was Baltimorean, and lawyer Of
fine ability, and esteemed by large num-
Der of friends. His loss is deeply felt in
the Division, and his worth acknowledged
by all. tJ
The forces engaged upon our side com
prised eight companies Of the Maryland
First, two companies of the Twenty ninth
Pennsylvania, two companies Ira Harris
Guard, two pieces artillery Of Capt. Knapp $
Battery, and Cspt. Mapes' Pioneer Corps
of fifty men.
? One gun which was carried off the field
and brought to within q short distance of
Winchester, was abandoned necessarily,
and was captured by the enemy before the
following morning.
A considerable number Of the Maryland
regiment have come in. fF q t
SATURDAYS F1eHTNa 81
At o'clock Saturday morning was
awaked to make preparations for immedi-