New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-19
FROM THE MOUNTAIN DKPABT.
MENT.
Fcray By stonewall Jackson-Gallans Ex'
pIoif Of HIilroy and Schenck.

than sixty davs he would break up the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad if il cost the lives Of CO. 900 men,
himself included.
Since then S.onewall has m, with many obstacles,
and just now is being circum, sn'ed ny 1enefas
schenck and Miroy.
While Mcclellan was held by the lVny IN York.
town. nearly all the Rebel forces in VI. gina were
concentrated there. When the evacuation became
necessary, these armies were at liberty to sslecs
other lines Of operation, and Jackson was furn snec
with 1900 Of the very best on hand and told th II
he could execute bis great oath above stated The
only obstacle in his way Gen. Mlroy, with about
4,000 men at Mcdowell Gen. Banks warned Gen.
Fremont Of the proposed move days in advance.
but Fremont lad only Gen. Schenck in command.
OF small brigade o. Moorieh engaged in making
ferries and building bridges destroyed by bushwhaek-
ers to facilitate Jackson's design. Gen. Schenck
was ordered to push on to the relief of Milroy as
rapidly possible. The prospect not fattering
To cross the south branch Of the Potomac at Peters
burg looked as if it would take up all the time neces-
sary to make the reserve available. Gen. Schenck
is not the man to hesitate. He might Lore few
lives and some wagons, but that better than the
loss of Milroys entire brigade. So be tumbled bis
command into the only ford that seemed available.
The water three feet deep the current furious,
and bottom covered with huge stones, over which
the poor horses stumbled and wagons jolted To
miss the track either way was to get INTO deep
water, ana saw three wagons fast at one time; tho
horses struggling and kicking while the drivers
and guards were either clnging to the wagons, or
doing their endeavor by a swim shoreward. The
scene, which lasted through day, was picturesque
and exciting. Ii resulted however, in great loss
Gen. Sclenck pushed on and when beyond Frank
lin, while about selecting camping ground, he re-
ceived dispatch from Gen. Milroy, informing us
pearance in his immediate neighborhood, and would
undoubtedly attack at daylight next morning. This
was received at 3 O'Clock, and at a place some %
miles from Mcdowell. Gen. Sclenck ordered on
some | 500 men, with the cavalry and DeBeck's
artillery determined to reach Mcdowell. to take
part ia the fight, if be could not relieve Milroy.
There Is something very impressive In nights
march. Tie solemn tramp of the silent men, made
musical by the regular click Of the csnteen, as it
strikes against the bayonet; the ugly, obstinate rat
ting of the artillery as it jolts along as II con-
scous of its power, and scorning TO be quiet; the
din outlines Of bills either side, between which
the masses move on all go to make up scene ono
does not readily forget. Hour after hour
wore On, without interruption, other than
short rests on the roadside, or the dash
ing by Of staff-officers carrying commands or
encouraging the men. These last were IN light
marching order. The heavy knapsacks had been
laid aside and the good fellows stepped regularly
along as If fatigue impossible. Al daylight
thew we're within ten miles of Mcdowell, and by 10
a. M entered the town. As our troops emerged from
the gorge upon the plain OF the town the long lines
OF the Rebels seen hling down the road OF the
mountains opposite. The scene was exhilaratins.
Tie little army, expecting to be overwheimed oy
superior numbers, had watched out the long hours
in weary anxiety, and now when the dear old dag
appeared cheer after cheer went up the mountain
sides, 10 which our men responded heartily while
falling TO the right and left, tie artillery ratified IN
on ths double quick to the strains Of the Star
Soan0led Bannerfrom the band. This was not with.
out effect. The Rebel army checked Its march,
taking POSSESSION of the mountain brow, where IL
hooked impudently down upon its proposed victims.
Generals Sehenck and Mllroy agreed that WIN
ell was not terable. How to get oct In the lace OF
superior force was the question to solve They Dc.
terinined upon bold move and that was, instead Oh
waiting be attacked, to march out and assali tne
enemy. After fighting long and hard as they
could, they determined 70 withdraw at dark. The
prospect was not promising. To fall back before
The enemy with volunteer force is difcult; but to
retreat after defeat looked impossible. But the
ensmy had TO be checked, and bold attack was IN
the estimation of these two fighting characters, Bob
Sehenck and Bob Milroy, the only means.
To this end the tents already struck were packed
IN wagons, the trains sent Oil, and at CLOCK four
regiments consisting of the 18th, SD, 3d. and 80
Virginia entered the pass up which the road winds,
and coon reappeared marching up the bare slope,
upor the crest of which the enemy had formed IN
line OF battle in anticipation Of the threatened at
tack. so soon our friends emerged FROM TIE hu-
rel and pine that covered twothlrds OF the mountain
the Rebels opened upon them. From the length OF
the euemv's line 1 gathered that there were about
600 Ia position, and their lire was rapid, heavy,
and continuous. TO Use a common phrase, the lire
was murderous At every yolley men fell Killed
and wounded. had seen volunteers under lre ana
know how difficult was to keep them to their work
4 "a q SCI these break and
run But they did not. For two long hours they
stood out boldly, and returned fire when morning.
could be seen but intervals the head and SHOULDERS
Of some Rebel loading and firing at WILL
For two hours these brave fellows worked their
way manfully up tho mounta inside without once
ainching They were much relieved during the last
hour by n piece Of artillery which Capt. Hymen had
IN position upon an eminence that gave him COM
maad Of the right wing OF the kebel forces.
No battle was ever fought with such surroundings.
This long range of lofty mountains overlook the PLAIN
upon which stands the town OF Mcdowell at the
foot of the ore known as Cow Pasture Mountain,
and as the high hills and mountains rise on the three
o.her sides tho whole make up an amphtheater on
the eastern slope of which this deadly drama was
doing enacted, as if for the entertainment OF the
tboueands above and below, who cheered as either
.'e seemed TO gain the advantage. saw the dear
old dag slowly winning is way up the slope. saw
my Old friend Col. Nat. Mclean, son OF the late
John Mclean, urging on and cheering up BIS men.
recoynizei tie Lieut. Colonel Riley, at one time
actually on stump addressing the men, while his
audience was being thinned out by bullets, and al
the while Hymen's gun kept the echoes n.y.
;ng from summit to summit, as if thunderstorm
we were taking part in the performance. As night fell
mon the scene The summit was gained, the firing
ceased and our troops We're called of in good order:
In one sense of the word it was victory: We had
Gained our object. The Rebels did not dare follow
onr retiring troops and instead of annoying
thew were busy all night preparing for the fight they
were satisfied we would renew in the morning: