The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-17

ing the Yankees into their confidence,
we discovered not one man who mani
tested any desire 60 receive us into his
smokehouse or corncrib.
As had been expected they would,
the people heard in advance Of our 40
proach of the order permitting fora
ging on the country, and patriotically
hid their provisions in outof-the-say
places, and hurried off their stock to
conceal it in the woods and mountains
In some instance We discovered where
it had been hidden, and left it there no
longer
While passing through Mount Jack
son, not few of the citizens manifest
ed an at least apparent pleasure at our
coming. They were even welcoming
in their remarks and generally courte-
Gus in their actions. In some instances
ladies waved handkerchief from be-
tween bow window shutters, and in 9TH
er ways indicated to the passing Yam
KEGS that another advance on the enc
my's works was not Objectionable to
their personal and political feelings.
Mount Jackson at one time was place
Of considerable importance. 1t is To-
Gated one hundred and twelve miles
from Alexandria, via the Manassas Gap
Railroad, and about sixty miles from
Martinsburg and the line Of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad Since the
commencement Of the war the place
has fallen into a rapid decline, is
plainly manifested by destroyed bull
dings and impaired railroad property
In the summer season it used to be
much resorted TO by pleasure seekers,
who here took stages to the Capon
springs The scenery in view from this
point is highly picturesque.
The next locality of interest we ap-
preached was Newmarket, the scene Of
Gen. Sigel's encounter with Breckin-
ridge. Our movements in this neigh
hood we're, naturally enough, conducted
with much caution; but, as we met with
no opposing force, the field of the late
engagement was occupied with feelings
more of interest than of excitement
The ground on which the fight came
off did not present any especially pecu-
liar features to remind one of the con-
test A dozen or so graves indicated
where were hastily buried some Of our
own or the enemy's dead A few trees
with shattered limbs indicated where
shot and shell had done their work,
and some people whom we met told
tales of Breckinridge's maneuvers be-
fore and after the fight, and explained
the really gallant manner in which the
young cadets (boys of from Is to IS
years old) fought and charged the Yam
kee lines and artillery. Judging from
what the citizens say, it is no wonder
General Sigel was defeated General
Breckenridge had engaged six brigades
of infantry. Imboden's forces, the ca
diets and other scattering commando
making in all total field force of l5,-
600 men. On the other hand, General
Sigel had in the field only 5000 infan-
try and 1000 cavalry, of which entire
force only $500 men were actually en-
gagged during the fight.
Having encountered no serious oppo-
sition at or in the neighborhood of
Newmarket, We pressed forward to
Harrisonburg.
On the way up the enemy undertook
to be somewhat bold, by making one
or two attempts at skirmishing, but our
advance was so steady and solid that
the rebels best efforts were to them of
no avail Attending the occupation of
Hsrrisonburg there were no fighting
operations OF remarkable character
FIGHTING AT MOUNT CRAWFORD AND PORT
REPUBLIC
On leaving Harrisonburg our column
was divided into two parts-one taking
the direct road to Staunton, and the
other bearing toward Port Republic
It was our design to demonstrate against
the enemy's right, while, as we after
ward discovered, the enemy had con-
ceived the notion of attempting to turn
our left, which, as natural conse-
quence, brought on an engagement at
and in the neighborhood of Pert Re-
public, place somewhat famous to
Union commanders in Virginia, who
have always experienced more or less
difficulty in approachingor retreating
from, or manouvering around this point.
1t will be seen that Port Republic is
situated on the line of Middle river,
body of water emptying into the She
nandoah river Before the place there
is considerable width to the river, be-
sides islands of various sizes Port Re
public is well situated for defense, as it
is protected on one side by South river,
which empties into Middle river, and
on the other by the river CT the latter
name About the same time the left
column was demonstrating against the
rebel position at Port Republic, the
column to the right, in the direction Of
Mount Crawford, got into an engage
ment at North river.
As the sound Of cannon both right and
left was made evident to our hearing,
we knew the plan was working well
and the work of defeating the rebels
near at hand. While we were moving
up the valley the enemy made prepar-
alton to makea stand st the points
named, and tc that end brought down
from Staunton some of the militia for
ces, with all tho regularly enlisted reb-
els that could be mustered for the oc-
casion The left of the rebel line was
entrusted TO the command of Gen.
Jones and the right to Imboden, so ia
NOUS for PARTISAN warfare and petty
raids. Our advance on the rebel posi-
ton was conducted with much gallant
nv. Both men and officers of the three
branches Of the service behaved adj
mirably. Lins after line of infantry
was advanced steadily and to good pur-
pose. All the time the rebels kept
pouring in rapid fire from field ord
nance and musketry. Many of those
who fought against us were mere boys,
who had broken through the crust of
military education at some one of the
various military institutes of Virginia.
And here they were-boys who had
but attempted to learn the art Of war
being, not drilled in comfortably fit
ted up, well aired schoolroom, but
practiced in the face of the enemy, an
opposing army, and engaged in the full
glory OF actual warfare In return for
the hot fire which the enemy opened
from his artillery, directed against our
right, we returned a similar compli-
ment that had very good effect for
the interests of our side. 1t made the
rebels more than once give away, snd
no doubt they would have broken and
run pellmell lift had not been for the
personal bravery of their officers, who
exposed themselves and enioined their
men to remain firm to the last But
still of what avail could it be for any