Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-11-12
Personal Recollections of the War.

Jackson's movement against Banks
was not for the advantage he might
gain over him. He had larger game
in view. Mcclellan was pressing
hard upon Richmond; Mcdowell and
Shields were expecting to cooperate
with him, and Jackson's flying trip
into the valley was intended to con-
fuse McClellan's operations, and pre-
vent the cooperation of Mcdowell,
relieving the rebel capital.
As we have seen, Banks was driven
north across the Potomac. His sup
plies were destroyed or captured, and
for the time being the ardor of his
army badly dampened.
Fremont at this time was in West
Virginia with quite force. He was
ordered to cross the Alleghanies, en-
ter the valley in the vicinity of Har-
and intercept and destroy
Jackson's army. Shields was order
ed from near Fredericksburg to re-
turn to the valley, reaching it at
about the same point as Fremont,
and cooperate in Jackson's destruc-
ton. The plan was plausible, and
hardness of movement in our armies
was all that saved Jackson from the
trap he had set for himself, however
it might have been as to his destruc-
ton. For later in the war less atten-
ton was given to destroying armies,
and more attention was given to fight
ing them upon an equal footing. FIRE.
mont did not move as ordered, but in
some indirect way, for some reaosn,
reached the valley further north, at
Strasburg, in season to brush Jack
sons rear guard on his return south.
After discovering Fremont, he retir-
ed few miles further, selected his
ground, turned and gave him battle.
The result was not very decisive, but
enough against Fremont to render
him harmless in further pursuit.
jackson then hurried on to the south,
passing Port Republic in season to
escape Shields, then turned and gave
him battle, serving him about as he
did Fremont after which he joined
Lee in front of Richmond in season
to have q hand in driving Mcclellan
back under the gunboats at Turkey
Bend, on the James River.
jackson made his movement to Gre
ate a diversion in Lees favor, and he
not only. succeeded in creating the
diversion, confusing our plans of OPP
Grafton, but he rejoined Lee in season
to help in the main fight.
If the forces moving against Rich
mond had paid no attention to Jack
son in the valley, but had gone Wig
orou sly about their work while he was
away, the seven days fighting around
Richmond might have resulted differ
emily.
In military sense, Jackson's eX-
cursion into the valley was brilliant
affair. 1t was a success. He met
three armies, land in detail, gave them
all the worst of the meeting. Jack
son was comparatively unknown be-
fore the war, and the armies he met
were commanded respectively by a
presidential candidate, an eX-United
| States senator and former speaker
of the national house of representa-
tives.
General Siegel was at Harper
Ferry with a few thousand men, ano
Siegel, Banks and Fremont ought tC
have been able to protect Washing,
ton from Jackson's movement, allow
ing Mcdowell and Shields to have
done what they could with Mcclellan
against Lee. Instead of this, Jack
sons furry seemed to paralyze thu
federal plans, and together with thu
result of the seven days fighting
made it possible for Lee, in siXt,
DAYS, to move his whole army north
ward, threatening the safety o
Washington.
After short stay at Williamsport
Banks was ordered back into the val
lev. We returned as far as Winches
ter, where a brief stop was made. d.
our way to this place we met Gen
Fremont and his staff going to Wash
ington. 1t was understood he ha
been relieved of his command for nc
entering the valley at the point OF
, dered, and allowing Jackson such a
, easy escape. The General wore
puzzled, disappointed look, feeling
; no doubt, that his ride to the capitf
, was a substantial retirement to CON
, parative obscurity, and that wins
, was left of the once high-soundin
glory of Fremont and Jesse was o
! the decline. We soon moved o
southwark, camping few days nes
Front Royal. From this place W
: made reconnaissance down the Ii
$ ray valley as far as Luray cour
/ house, meeting small force OF ca
f airy, which we charged, capturln
4 two and killing one, We had OIL
/. man killed, or so badly wounded tn
t he died on our return to camp, al
r was buried with military honors. III
n name of our camp was changed
# the name of the unfortunate boy,
II in honor of his bravery. This chars
: was led by the intrepid Col. Presto
V 1t was great affair, for the numbe
.r were small on both sides, and the p
: sition was hardly worth the cos
i Preston's reason for precipitating Z
Jach wac thaf If wOuld do fhp MI