New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-11
THE ENGAGEMENT AT FRONT
ROYAL.
Gen. Banks's OMcial Report Of the En-
yagement at Front Roy al, May 23, 1869.
HI.DauAKTERs, DEPARTMENT or THE sHKsASpoAH}
May 81, 1861

Hs.DarAxrERs. DEPARTMENT OF THE sHKs.SDoaH,}
May 81, 1861
Hon. EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Secretary Of Var.
SIR: In pursuance Of orders from the War De-
partment, Col. John X. Kenly, commanding Ist
Maryland Volunteers, was sent on the 10th day OF
May from Strssburg to Front Royal. with instruc-
tions 70 retain the troops under Major Tyndae, at
tacbed Gen. Geary's command and to protect the
town of Front Royal and the railroad and bridges
between that town and Strasburg.
The forces under his command consisted OF bis
own regiment as available men two companies
from tie 10Th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieut. Col
Perham commanding; the Pioneer corps, Captain
Napes engaged in constructing bridges; two COM
psnies of the 5th New-York Cavalry, and section
Of Knapps battery, Lieut.. Atwell commanding
There were three companies Of infantry stationed Oh
The road near Strasburg-,he I'd Massachusetts Capt
Russell, at the Bridge; ono company OF the Sd WIS
ronsin Capt. Hubbard, and one company OF the &th
Indiana, about five miles from Strasburg.
This force was intended az guard for the protec-
lion Of the town, and partly against local guerrilla
parties that infested that locality, and replaced two
companies of infantry with cavalry and artillery,
which had occupied the town for some weeks, under
Mai. TindaIe, 18th Pennsylvania Volunteers Tor tie
zane purpose. II had never been contemplated as
defense aganst the combined forces of tbs enemy III
the Valley of Virginia.
Front ROYAL is in itself an indefensible position.
Two mountain valleys debouch suddenly upon the
town from the south, commanding 1t by almost in
accessible hills, and is at the same time exposed to
6ank movements by other mountain valleys, VIA
Strssburg on the west and Chester Gap on the
east.
The only practicable defense of this town would
be by a force sufficiently strong TO bold these noun
tain passes some miles in advance. Such forces were
DOT at my disposal, and no such expectations were
entertainedfrom the slender command OF Col. keply.
1t was guerrilla force and not an organized and
weii-appolnted army that he was prepared to meet.
On the I'D Of May, it was discovered that the
whole force On the enemy was in movement, down
The valley OF the Shenandoah, between the Mas
tanutten Mountain and the Blue Ridge, and III close
proximity 10 the town. Their cavalry had captured
considerable number Of our picke,s before the
alarm was given. The little band which was
charged with the protection Of the railroad and
bidgcs, found itself instsntaneously compelled to
choose between an immediate retreat or a contest
with the enemy, against overwhelming numbers.
Col. Kenly was no; the man to avoid contest, at
whatever odds.
lie Immediately drew up bis troops in tho order
Le had contemplated III case Of an attack of less
Importance. Tie disposition Of his forces had been
Wisely made 10 resist force equal TO his own and
se best, perhaps, that could have been devised in
hh more pressing emergency.
ABOUT clock p. M, the alarm was given that
.'henemy was advancing On the town in force. The
nSntry companies were drawn up in line Of battle
seout one-half Of d mile in the rear Of the town.
rive companies were detailed TO support the aItil-
Iery, which was placed On the crest Of hill com
sanoing meadow Of some extent. over which the