The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-11-14
THE VALLEY CAMPAIGN OF
1862. =
Interesting Particulars Of Jack
sons Movements.
TEE FIGHT AT PORT REPUBLIC.

TEE FIGHT AT PORT REPUBLIC
{From the n Y. Metropolitan Record.
IS PORT REPUBLIC, June 8, 1862.
On the morning after the battle of Cross
Keys the Eighth Louisiana was the first
regiment of Ewell's division to cross the
Shenandoah at Port Republic. A few mo-
ments afterwards artillery firing was heard
to the front, and the regiment was ordered
by Brig. Sen. Taylor to move forward and
report to the General Commanding in the
fight Advanced rapidly down the road
pointed out by Major Dabney of General
JaclSson's staff, and soon came in view Of
the enemy His right rested on the river
and his line extended thence across level
wheat and clover fields to a range of wood
ed hills on his left, where, on a slight emf
nence, he had in position six gun battery
which was served with great rapidity and
precision, and entiladed and swept the road
by which the regiment was advancing
There was also another battery in position
nearer the river, in active play at the same
time,
When the Eighth Louisiana came on to
the field the only Confederate troops at
hand were two Or three light batteries, and
two small regiments of Virginia Infantry
advancing in line through the open fields
on the enemy's position. Moving rapidly
down the road the regiment came under a
hot enfilading fire from the battery neal
the hills, and Col. Kelly threwit as prompt.
ly as possible under cover of hill to the
right of the road. This hill was portion
of the range near the base ofwbich the en-.
emy's battery was posted. The whole
range was densely wooded and afforded a
cover under which the battery could be
approached much more readily than by the
open field. In the rapid advance down the
road and in the execution of the movement
BY which the regiment was covered from
the fire of the battery, its ranks were una
yoldably thrown somewhat into confusion,
and had just been reformed, when Colonel
Stafford, of the Ninth Louisiana, and Major
Wheat, reported to Col. Kelly with their
commands, and hereceived, through Major
Wheat, orders from General Jackson, N
general terms, to advance against the enc
my. The Eighth and Ninth, with Wheat's
battalion, immediately assembled the hill
In front, and advanced in line along the
crest of it in the direction of the Federal
battery, guided by the sound of the guns
Taking it for granted that the enemy had
a supporting force of infantry in the wood.
ed hills to the left (their left of the bat
terry, along the crest of which the reei-
ments and battalion were now advancing
against them, Colonel Kelly had thrown
forward Captain Gusman's company (A,)
Creole Guards, and Capts Keary's company
lH both of the Eighth, as slSirmishers, to
find the position of this supporting force.
which it was intended, if possible to turn
aud attack in flank and rear; in the mean
time to be ready at a moments notice,
should the Lonisianians come upon the
enemy suddenly. The Colonel Command
ing advanced with the two regiments and
the battalion in line, though it was difficult
to preserve the formation on account of
the thickness of the woods. They had adj
yanced in this way almost up to the point
from which the charge on the Federal bat
terry was afterwards made, without having
yet found the enemy's infantry, when Gen.
Taylor came up, with the Sixth Louisiana
regiment and took command. Advancing
short distance further, point was
reached quite near the enemy's battery, as
known by the sound of the cannon, our
movement still screened from observation
by the thick woods About this time loud
and repeated cheers were heard from the
Federal centre, and right where our troops
had to fall back from the superior numbers
OF their opponents. Line was formed for
the charge in the following order: On the
right the Eighth regiment, with one COM
pany ployd into column on the flank; next
on on the left came the Ninth, under Colonel
Stafford, then Wheat's battalion, and then
the Sixth under Col. Seymour The order
Tor the charge was given and the line adj
vanced with shout. Almost Immediately
the Contederates came in view of the enc
mys supporting infantry, a brigade of
ONO troops, posted beyond hollow, not
in front, but on line diagonally across
our right flank. They were evidently ia
ken completely by surprise, but opened at
once with a brisk fire of musketry, while
the Federal battery received Gen. Taylor's
regiments with q round of canister. The
right companies of the Eighth and Dor
lions OF other regiments became engaged
with the Federal infantry, while Col. Kelly
led his centre and left companies straight
re the battery, which was Immediately
carried. Col. H. B. Kelly had the honor to
be the first man at the guns Almost i'm
nediately after he reached the guns. he
was Joined by Col. Stafford Lieut.. Colonel
Peck, and Major Wheat. with portions of
their commands. AS soon as the enemy's
orces which had been successfully engaged
IN their centre and right discovered that
heir battery on their left had been taken
1t proved to be Clarke's battery 4th u. s. |
artillery, regulars,) they commenced fall
ng back, which they did however in per
ect order. Perceiving this, and being at
he time senior officer in the immediate
ront, as far as could be seen, and anxious
9 press the advantage already gained, to
he utmost, Col Kelly made strenuous eff.
orts to lead the brigade forward to the
attack ofthese retreating troops.
SUIT the formation had been by this time
omapleGely broken. The Eighth Louisiana
eglment was badly scattered, the right
ompanles having been swept off into the
Engagement with the infantry on the hill,
nd the other companies having been una
oldably thrown into confusion by their
apid charge through thick woods and
yer rough and rolling ground. The same
auses produced similarresults withregard
the other regiments. There acas no SO. t
ma line o., reserve. The whole command q
al been for the time being thrown into I
'nfuslon by the impetus and shock of the
lccesstul charge, and it was found i'm |
not only to reform them in j
me to make an effective attack on the 4
lemys forces. retreating from his centre
nd right, but even to get them ready to i
ceiVe the attack, with these troops now b
Stunning the offensive, threatened to make a
BON our disorganized forces for the recap 2
ne of their battery. Near the battery f
thin close musket range, stands sub c
antial two story brick house, known as d
= Lewis House. Perceiving the design p
the enemy, and finding himself at the t
oment unable to reform even his own o
glment, Col Kelly called upon such Off tt
rs and men Of various commands as were o
hand, to fill this house, which covered "
e ground upon which the captured bat. Il
~ stood, and under the shelter of which O.
hoped to be able to hold the position n