The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-03-23

lNltN lIlt CltI uCltl VI VIC \NlulIVS'S
who composed his command, and the
difference between them and the uld
United States rcgn|ars whom he had
commanded so long. lie atked
t" me one day: "There are Il great
many Of these officers VIII" will be
held to account after the war is over
by tie rank and file of the army.
Many of these men are our superlorS
in point of intelligence, wealth and
social position, and if an officer fails
to appreciate the difference between
these men and the rough element
found in The old service, he will rne
it when the war is over.' In the last
number of the Southern Historical
S"ciety papers, Gen. EARLY, in at
ablo defense of Ewell against the
charge of being at fau|t in failing to
occupy the heights of Gettysburg,
pays him a tribnte most just and
el"qnentIy beautiful.
The briyadiers Of our division were
I'LL men of mark. Gen. Richard Tay.
Tor (son of "Old Rough and Rcady')
was gentleman of rare accomplish
ments, and a soldier of such decided
ability that he was destined to Use to
the rank of lieutenant general and
give to "Stonewall's Quartermaster'
(Gen. Banks) on his Red River expe-
dition the additional sobriquet OF
"Dick Taylor's commissary.
Gen. Trimble rose to the rank OF
Major. General, lost a leg at Gettys.
burg and gave most untirlng service
to the cause he came from Maryland
to espouse.
Gen. Elzey was also Marylander
who had won a fine reputation 10 the
old army, who had been called by
Beauregard at First Manassas, "the
Butcher of the day." who became
also a major general, and who was
recognized as an accomplished and
gallant soldier.
Besides, there were serving in the
division, J. A. Walker, J. E. B. Ter
rell, Geo. H. Stewart, B. +. Johnson,
Hays, York, J. N. jones, CAVITY and
others, who afterwards Won the
wreath and stars.
While watching Banks, aud await
ing Jackson's movements, we luxu
rated in the green fields, tue beauti.
full groves, the clear streams, the
magnificent scenery, and (what was
perhaps, even more appreciated) the
delicious milk aud elegant apple.but'
ter Of the glorious Valley.
But we had not long to wait. Geue'
raj Banks retreated down the Valley
and took a strong position at Straus'
burg, while Jackson raised the droop'
:: ing hopes of the Confederacy by tht
following characteristic dispatch:
"VALLEy DISTRICT, [
Mays 1862"
ITO General S. Cooper:
God blessed onr arms with victory al
Mcdowell yesterday.
ct. J. JACKSON.
Major General"
After defeating Milroy-Fremont's
advance guard-and pursuing him
until he was driven out of the range
Of proposed operations in the Valley
lie ordered Ewcll to move down the
Luray Valley while lie marched
across by Harrisonburg down the
main pike to Newmarket, and then
over Massanuttin Mountain to joiu
Ewell in his advance.
shall never forget the enthusiasm
with which we started on TINT march,
The "Luray Valley" lies between the
Blue Ridge and the Massanuttin "a
high and PERCEPTIONS mountain which
suddenly rises from the valley op-
posite Swift Run Gap, and as sud.
denly terminates near Strausburg
fifty miles below, aud is one Of the
loveliest spots that the sun shines
npon. As We moved down this beau
tifnl valley, by the pretty little Town
Of Luray, past manv pleasant homes
and we'll stocked farms, tho people
received us every where with the
|iveliest demonstrations Of joy, and
supplied us abnndantly with fo"d 81
every description. Ewell continued
to lead the advance, which was Iii
rected on Front Royal in order te
flank Banks position at Strausburg
The ubiquitous Ashby had pressed
his cavalry close up to Strausburg
aud he had streacbed across the MAR
valley a Gordon of pickets, which
completely concealed our movement
as we pressed on rapidly towards
our objective point. l we'll remem
ter when Jackson first came to thu
front of our column. Hearing louG
cheering in the rear, which came
nearer and bearer, We soon saw that
it was Stonewall himself, mounted
on that old sorrel which We after.
wards came to know 80 well, ant
galloping along the column with I'M
covered head. We, too, at once tool
up the shout and gave a hearty greet
ing to the great captain, who llat
come to lead US to victory, and TIL
maintains echoed and Ie.echoed witt
the glad acclaim.
About two O'Clock p. m. on Friday
May 23d, our advance consisting Q
tie First Mary land aud Wheat's Lou
isiana "Tigers," all under the com
mand of Gen. George H. Stewart
made a dash at the Feneral force
stationed in Front Royal, which seem
ed to be taken completely by sur
prise, but which made gallant re.
sistance az it was pressed rapid!
| back over the two forks of the Shen
andoah River.
Jackson was always in the forefron
sometimes even in the advance y
the skirmish line-and manifested