Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1862-06-27

ed IN the gorges OF the mountains, near Swift |
hun: and Ashby's cavalry to picket the count
ry closely so to cut off all information from
the enemy IS to his true purposes The man
Huvre etfectualy deceived Banks, aud he forth.
with telegraphed to Washington that Jackson
had evacuated the Valley and fed to Gordons- |
vile In day or two jackson turned up at |
Stsunton and fastening to JON General Ed. |
Johnson, he fell upon Milroy, at Mcdowell and |
routed him, and pursued him to Franklin. in
Pendieton county.
In the meantime Banks supposing that Jack
son was east of the Ridge, weakened his force
by sending Shields with 10000 men to joir Nc
Doweil, and another detachment to reinforce
Milroy. Jackson having thus cleared hi. left
flank by dispensing Mroy's forces, FASTENED by
the nearest route towards Harrisonburg, where
he could act in injunction with Ewell. Fwel
| came out Of his hiding place, and, while por-
tioG OF the conlOnt forces marched down the
Valley turnpike towards Strasburg, to which
place the greater portion Of Banks army had
fallen back, the residue crossed the Massanut>
ten mountain, and hurried down the banks of
the Shenandoah to Front Royal, where thew
| attacked and captured the forces stationed at
| that point. The sound of the cannon gave
Banks the first intimation of the proximity of
an enemy, and he Immediately commenced his
precipitate flight to Winchester. Al effort
was made to intercept him near Newtown, but
the attempt was only partially successful. The
swift footed Banks had passed the junction of
the road with part OF his army, before the
wearied forces Of Jackson could come up with
thenl
! He pierced Banks column however. and
drove portion of it southwark up the road,
while the main body fed towards Winchester
A running fight Of s or 10 miles en.ued, Banks
flying and Jackson pursuing. Near Wnches-
ter the enemy made a stand, but the invincible
columns of jackson bore down upon them with
irresistible power, ard they broke and fed ip-
gloriousl land were pursued through the streets
of Winchester and on to Martinsburg aud Har
per's Ferry where the demorAzed elements
of the powerful army Of Banks sought ref
uge in Mary land At Winchester. and Mar
| tinsburg, and Front Royal, stores estimated at
from 8 to IS, 200, 900, were taken and near s.
600 prisoners. Ensumbered with his prison
srs, on the very borders of the enemy's count.
ry, Jackson found himself in a critical position.
He remained only long enough to secure the
booty, which was of the highest Importance to
our army, and having sent that in wagons up
the Valley, he followed to protect his trains
and also to put his prisoners in a place Of se>
curity.
! We all recollect the sensation these DARING
achievements created throughout the country.
and kilograms were despatched throughout the
North calling for the whole militia force of the
country to protect the United States Capital.
which it was fear ed Jackson might seize at an
early Gay.
When the authorities at W ashington recov>
cred from their panic. they were overwhelmed
with shame and confusion, and immediately
set to work to avenge the wound that had been
inflicted on their national honor. Tt was ascer-
tanned that jackson had but small force. that
he was encum bersd with immense trains and
vast numbers of prisoners, and that he would
have to march 100 miles before he could reach
a point Of safety. Tn whole Northern press
teemed With threats and promises of the speedy
annihilation Of Jackson and his daring follow
ers. Three armies-one from the North un.
der Dix-one from the West under Fremont
and Mllroy, and from the East un.
der Shields, were Immediately set in motion to
intercept him. and it was even said by some Of
| the Northern journals, that ackson had fallen
| into the trap that had been set for him
/ The rsaderawil observe the position of the
parties. Jackson's forces were scattered from
the Potomac to Wlnchester-Dix came by
| railway from Baltimore, Fremont was west of
| the North Mountain at Frankn,i in Pendleton.
and Shields was east of the Blue Ridge near
7 w arrenton. The plan was for Fremont and
Shields to push forward and unite their forces
at Strasdurg, and cut off Jackson's retreat up
| the V alley, while Dix would press him ia the
L &4+. IL H.