Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-04-14

enough before they reached the guns each
one Of those six Confederate regiments
has lost over a hundred men. Once-twice
thrice their battle lines have pushed for
ward, to be literally wiped out. The Sew
enth Louisiana finds itself opposite the
Seventh Indiana, and there is duel-a
rush-a grapple. In fifteen minutes the
Louisianians have lost more than one
third OF their number-the Hooslers
scarcely less. In the little valley across
which the Confederates rush for the guns,
there are AGO corpses left behind the living
The Federals do not retreat FROM their
guns. They stand by them. and many are
shot, thrust with the bayonet, and hacked
to pieces with sword and sabre. There is
whirlwind of blood and death sweeping
round and round the guns for five min
utes, aud then Jackson's men have won.
They raise cheer, bat it dies away in
scream. The Federals gave way only to
rally and return. Tney advance with a
rush that sends toe enemy whiring over
the corpses- across the vallsy-back into
the thick underground, and minute has
hardly passed before the guns are again
throwing grape and canister at Jackson's
left, now being slowly pushed by the Fed
sral right. If Shields dalled on the march
he is making up for it now. 1t he failed
to reach Strasburg on time, he is showing
his mettle here. Across the river slngl g
regiment is holding Fremont in check
Here on this field of blood Jackson's best
troops are being pushed back and his Lou
isiana Tigers find their match.
And now they come again! The cheers
from the Federal left have nerved these
six regiments until they would charge hell
itself. They reform under a terrific fire
and rush with an impetus which even the
hand of death cannot stop. They reach
tho guns again. and again men shoot, stab,
cut, hack-aye! they grapple and roll un-
der the wheels of cannon SO hot that they
would almost blister. There are no wound
ed. It is grapple to the death. For the
second time the Federals are pressed back,
and for the second time the guns speak
under Confederate hands. Will it end
here? No! Painting like dogs-faees be-
grimed- -tenths of them Eareheaded-
the Federal wave rolls back on the guns,
and now there is grapple such as no 9TH
er battle ever furnished. Men beat each
others brains OUT with muskets which
they have no time to load. Those who go
down to die think only of revenge, and
they clutch the nearest foe with grasp
which death renders stronger. Down
| where the Federal right is pushing Jack
son they hear this pandemonium OF shrleks
and screams on the mountain side. and
they halt. 1t is sound ten times more
horrible than the whistle of grape or the
hiss Of canister. They can see nothing for
| the smoke, but what they hear is sound
( like that of hungry tigers turned loose to
| tear each other to death.
FATAL ERROR.
| If Shields had had two more regiments
in reserve behind his guns they could not
have been TAKEN When the Federals
were driven for the third time they were
not disheartened, but wiped out. To re
cover his artillery the Federal commander
detached brigade from his right. Weak
ened only by that much jackson could
! drive it. He OWNED where other Generals
had to grope. In the same breath he Or
dered reinforcements to the men holding
| the guns and charge on the Federal cen
| ter and left. From that moment the bat
| tie of Port Republic was decided.
DYING GAME.
| Shields must have realized it, but he
would die game. With his only artillery
pouring death into his ranks, he shortened
| his lines and for half an hour held
Jackson with fire of musketry so hot that
men advancing against it were struck by
| five or six bullets at once. 1t was his last
effort. Foot by foot he lost ground-foot
| by foot Jackson advanced and when there
was no longer any hope, the Federal army
faced about for the Luray acknowledging
! its defeat. 1t was not panic, but Shields
was routed. He was pushed for couple
! of miles and then left to pursue his way
| towards the Potomac with only cavalry to
sting his rear-guards and keep him going.
TOO LATE.
| When Shields was out OF sight of the
battlefield Fremont came up. He had at
| last brushed the Confederate fly from his
| path and reac ned the river. Fremont was
on one side-Jackson on the other. and
| the long bridge spanning the stream was
on fire. If Fremont had fight in him be
| had come too late. Next morning he be-
gan his retreat on Winchester that Mecca
of Federal pilgrimage, to be heard of in
the valley no more.
A SQUARE FIGHT.
Port Republic was one OF the squarest
fights of the war. Shields had the advan-
tage in acting on the defensive, and he had
every reason to hope that Fremont would
come up in time to participate. Jackson
had less artillery but his troops were nery-
ed by the knowledge that Fremont would
be held, and that victory at Port Repub-
lie would clear the valleys.
A SINGULAR FACT.
After Jackson had passed Strasburg and
was on his way to Port Republic, Fremont
fell in behind him. 1t was known for
fact that Shields was fastening up the Lu-
ray valley to reach Port Republic FIRST
There was plan to get him between the
two armies. How could he say that he
would defeat it? How could he know
that he was to check one army whip the
other and clear the valleys of bothp And
yet Jackson so calculated. On the 9th of
June, with Fremont at his heels, Shields
hurrying up. Ashby dead and the Confed-
crates pushing at the top of their speed,
he sent courier to Johnston at Richmond
with the message.
''Should my command be required at
Richmond, can be at Mechanics Run
depot, on the Central Road, the second
days march,