Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-26
THE AFFAIR AT FRONT ROYAL

Particulars of the Ptght-Cot. Keniy's
Command 0psrpowsrsd and DeStruys9-
Terrible Fighting and Tyeaehsry of tbs
Ensmy-Col Ksniy Wounded and Re
The announcement on Saturday morning that
Col. Kenly's FiDt Maryland Regiment had met
with severe reverse at Front Royal caused quite
an excitement In the city which continued
throughout the day yesterday, and resulted In
which will be found elsewhere.
On Saturday evening dispatch was received
from Mariinsburg by the brother Of Col Kenly,
later dispatch from the w ar Department, on Sat-
urday night, announced that he was not dead,
but wounded and prisoner In the hands Of the
enemy. This dispatch gave considerable relief
to his numerous friends here, and when an
nounced on the bulletin boards yesterday morn
ing caused an involuntary cheer from those as
sembled. Later accounts, however, leave but
little doubt that the hrst account was correct, and
this most gallant officer has fallen, victim to the
rebellion.
We, last evening had an interview with Mr..
Joseph Robinson, Of Pittsburg, a member Of
in making his escape after the battle was over,
and collected from him the foniwing particulars:
Col Kenly's command consisted Of the First
Maryland Regiment, three companies Of the
Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania, and one section of
KnapP's Battery consisting Of two. rife guns.
Whilst the fight was progressing he was REIN
forced by two companies Of New York cavalry.
noon.
strong dash Of cavalry, under command Of the
famous Ashby, on the position taken by Col.
kenly, about q mile east Of Shenandoah. After
fight Of two hours the enemy was repulsed, with
heavy loss and driven back some distance.
Finding that large force Of infantry was COM
ing to Sshby's aid, and moving so a. to surround
him, Colonel Kenly ordered his men TO fall back
to the west side Of the Shenandoah, and TO destroy
the bridges after them. This was done In good
order, and the smaller bridge was destroyed, but
the iank!ng force Of the enemy came on them be-
fore the longer bridge could be destroyed, and
ton and his men in line Of battle to prevent the
crossing Of the river. Another fight here took
place, which lasted nearly two hours, and the
enemy was again repulsed with heavy loss
Finding that no reinforcements arrived, Col.
Keniy, wounded by ball In the neck at the first
assault, addressed his men and urged them, al
though assailed by force at least Ave times their
own number, to keep together to the last other
wise they would be run down and slaug htered
by the enemy's cavalry. Then, placing his artil-
lery In the rear, he commenced to fall back, but
before he had gone three miles they were again
oyeftaken by the enemy, formed In line Of battle,
and the artillery opened a destructive FIRE on
them
At this moment portion Of Ashby's cavalry
If desiring paey @hea co kenig h.
men to cease firing. They were allowed to ad-
vance within pistol range, when the white flag
was thrown down and a blue or black flag raised,
and charge from several quarters made on the
exhausted men. All Of those who escaped per-
sist that the cry Of the enemy ono quarters"
and that even the wounded were bayonet ted as
they lay on the field.
This, however, we are not disposed altogether
to credit. Col Kenly Is represented as having
fought most desperately, and, wounded as he
was, succeeded in cutting his way through the
ranks Of the enemy, and had not proceeded far
when he fell from 70 horse from the effects Of a
severe sabre wound that he received in this last
engagement He was lifted up and placed in an
ambulance, and had not proceeded far before
again Yen nd a ~
kerry poured into the ambulance, killing both
horse and driver, and II Is supposed impossib BILE
for the Colonel to have survived this last assault
The men who have escaped, az 10 usual In such
cases, consider that they are the only fortunate
ones, but as they obtained horses, It 10 probable
that many others may have since come in. They
were strongly impressed with the belief that no
quarter was given to their comrades, but we think
this Is TO be doubted, and that large number are
prisoners. They all admit that our loss In the
two nrst engagements was very light, and that
until the last charge on them they had succeeded
II. repulsing the enemy at every point OF attack
Major Miller, Of the LIST Maryland, is also re.
ported to have been wounded, and is believed to
be prisoner. Lieut.. Col. Nathan T. Dushane
had fought bravely throug bout the day, and was
with division Of the regiment protecting the
artillery when the last assault was made. What
was his fate our informant did not learn,
The section Of Rnapp's Battery done most
efficient service throughout the day, and stood
by their guns until the last moment, when the
Rebel cavalry, having broken through the In.
ana secured the two guns. They had, however
but three rounds of ammunition left having
fred nearly two hundred rounds during the day.
After this our lines were broken, and Col. Kep(v
directed his men to secure their own safety and
cut his way through the cavalry who had sur
rounded him. This course on his part gives
some color to the assertion that the enemy had
declared his intention Of giving ono quarter
otherwise this gallant and experienced cfacer
would, In this last extremity have been justjne ed
In surrendering himself and command a. prison.
ers Of war.-BaItimo7s American