Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-07-09
From the Seventh Regiment.
BRIsroE STATION, June 26th, 1862.

bRlSToE STATIoS, June Zoth, 1907.
MESsERs EDITORS A long time has
elapsed since last wrote you, during
which time much of interest has trans
pired. We were then near New Market,
and somewhat perplexed as to our future
movements; but we were not longin doubt,
for on the 18th of May we left the Valley
for Fredericksburg, passing through Luray,
Front Royal, Manassas Gap, Warrenton
and Catlets Station, and arrived at Fall
mouth, opposite Fredericksburg, on the
22d.inst; thus marching one hundred and
twenty miles in nine days. I'VE rested
two days-the 18th and 10th.
Here we were reinforced, on the 23d.
by Pres. Lincoln, Sec. Stanton and NJ.
Mercier, the French minister. We expect
ed to remain here for few days at least,
then to advance toward Richmond, but
Jackson's rapid advance down the Valley,
driving Banks before him, must be check
ed. Shields and Ord's division were i'm
mediately ordered to the Valley, and on
the 25th we were again in motion toward
the scene of Jackson's raid, via Catlets and
Manassas Junction, arriving at Front Roy
al on the Both. r.. .E
EwelPs men were occupying the town,
and we would no doubt, have been able
to capture his train, which was very large,
and great part of his force, had not a
member of the l4th Ind. (which was in
the advance "got ahead" of the column.
He was captured by the enemy's pick
cts, and thus word of our advance reached
them. AS it was on the 3lst our cavalry
succeeded in captured twelve wagons,
several mules, and II FOUNDER rifed
cannon, stamped "Liverpool, 1861"
On the lst inst, we started up the Lurav
Valley to intercept the retreat of the en-
emy, and on the 8th our advance reached
Port Republic.
Had Col. Carroll burned the bridge,
jackson would have been caught in as
nice a trap as ever was laid, but he con-
sidered that Gen. McDowelPs orders were
paramount to those from Gen. Shields
Mcdowell ordered Carroll to hold the
bridge at all hazards, but his force was
inadequate TO the task, and even after
being reinforced by Tylor's Brigade, it was
far too small to cope successfully with
twenty thousand, so the only alternative
was to retire down the Valley. Thus
jackson made good his escape over the
Ridge, after we had seen,-to use the
words of Gen. Banks Adjutant General
"that this three months of labor, of the
extent of which you cannot conceive, is
undone." Well there is nothing tangible
in war.
Remaining few days at Luray for rest,
we arrived at Front Royal on the 10th,
were paid off on the 10Th and on the 2lst,
we again took up our line of march, pass
ing through Manassas Gap, Salem and
White Plains, arriving here on the 23d.
Bristoe is an unimportant station of the
Orangeville and Alexandria R. R., situated
about five miles south of Manassas juno
ton. The country about here is the most
desolate of any ever saw. Neglect and
ruin stare at you on every side. Every
thing plainly tells of war and its devasta-
ting influences. Ruins of dwellings and
churches, fenceless fields, once beautiful
meadows troden down, or cut up by mill
tary roads, all tell the same sad, sickning
tale.