The National tribune., 1889-03-28

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TO MAKE ASSURANCE DoUBLY SURE,
though aware of Banks's retrograde movement
and in addition to the surveillance of Eweli,
he had the passes in the mountains blockaded
10 prevent Banks from reinforcing Milroy !"
as to which he exhibited considerable nerv-
business, and hoped that if be made the attempt
and Ewell could do anything TO call him back
he would do so; but all his instructions to
Ewell were in the direction Of extreme caution,
and he was by ali means to avoid getting into
a general fight in his absence, and even ln-
formed him Of lire of retreat that he might
take, if necessary, by a read that Ash5y had
Shown him, Of which he had not previously
known. To meet Schenck aud Milroy he was
moving westerly along the Staunton turn
pike. The country was rugged and uneven,
broken by mountains, spurs, hills and woods.
as he was passing over the Bull Pasture Mount
ain he was again met by the peals of Mil
roy's cannon, perhaps mile or so away, to his
front, which brought the head of his column
to a sudden halt. Somewhat in advance and to
his left, arose spur Of the Bull Pasture, IN
itself mountain known as Setlingt0n'5 Hill.
Accompanied by Gen. Johnson and a party OF
30 men aud several officers, he proceeded TO
the hill TO reconnoiter Reaching the sum-
nit, which commanded full view of the
village of Mcdowell 40 miles from Staun-
tom, he said the position and to some extent
the strength Of the enemy could be seen y; in
the valley in which Mcdowell is located he
said he saw " considerable force of infantry
10 the right on a hight two regiments, but too
distant for an effective fire, and almost a mile
in front, battery supported by infantry"
Enthusiastically, then, the enemy, or at least
part Of them, which he had come so far TO seek,
and to whom be was expected by Gen. Lee to
give crushing blow, were before him; and
the hill was Immediately occupied by him in
force. About 10 o'clock that morning Schenck,
with J, 300 men, reached Mcdowell, after
MARCH OF 81 MILES IN % HOURS,
and joined Milroy. The two numbered less
than 1000 muskets; Jackson and johnson, as
stated, about l., 600.
The Union Generals having some knowledge
of Jaekson's sorry movements from KeTns-
town and EdenbUrg, whether justly or no, did
not look upon him, apart from his numbers, as
particularly formidable character or at all to
he dreaded. Nevertheless, Scheneb after lit
tie observation, came TO the conclusion that Me-
DoWcll was untenable rs a defensive position
against the largely communicating forces of the
enemy, aud decided to retreat, as advised by
Fremont; though, had the situation been other
wise, there was no choice, on account Of an en-
tire destitutiOn OF forage. However, as the
only outlet from the Valley was through a mar
row pass, which would make the movement
hazardous by daylight against an attack at all
vigorous It was deemed advisable to defer it
was determined to test the stuff of which Jack
son was made. with view of deterring him
from putting bis artillery into position TO com
mand the Valley and Of either disabling him
or 81 least checking or curbing his disposition
10 pursue. Beyond this our Generals seeming
~ INDUCED some hope, IL they advanced boldly,
OF frightening him back to Stanton in spite of
his large numbers. 1t was to be tentative
operation. in plain terms, as Jackson appear
ed inGitfdent about coming down to fight them,
they determined TO 60 up and fight him, bent
upon intimidation, and depending in great
measure upon their audacity, though at the risk
of waging battle against odds of more than
three to one. In addition TO the advantage of
his strong position. Against almost any Gen
eral in the Confederacy but Jackson, it must
! certainly not only have been highly dangerous
but improper; but they appear to have formed
an accurate estimate of his character.
During the morning and early afternoon
there was some preliminary sparring with the
enemy, n which parties of sEirmishers from
the 73d Ohio and the I'd w. Va. took part
under Maj Long end Capt. George B. Latham,
who did good service in ascertainiDg the ene-
my's position. A section of Hyman's battery
also kept up a vigorous fire.
Jackson's Division being within supporting
distance,
JOHNSON OCCUPIED THE sHTLINGToN HILL,
or mountain, with the troops known as the
| Army of the Northwest which were posted
/ behind a ridge at the crest and behind another
] some distance down the slope. The position
was also strengthened by some im9rovised in
trenchments and breastwOrks. Thus posted
they were ordered 10 lie down and hold their
ground in position strong enough to have
deiied thrice their numbers, large as they were,
about 900. About o'clock Milroy received
/ Schenck's permission TO open the ball by an
assault upon the hill. The 75th Ohio, Maj
/ Rely, Capts. Friend, Morgan, Fey, Harris, Pill
/ cher. Foster, and Lieut.. Mercy, and the 25th
! Ohio, Col. Richardson, both regiments under
/ the command of Col. Mclean, of the 18th,
moved first through the woods, in the valley,
/ into the open and TO the HILL and began the
ascent for death and glory and for q cause that
surely must have been very near to their
hearts. Onward and upward they moved,
4 without cover Of rock or tree, in the face of a
| heavy fire from the enemy behind their forti-
| fcations, and 50 steep was the way that at
4 times TO make progress they were forced to
move from side TO side as vessels tack in NOV
ing against the wind. Now and then they
would halt to take breath, fire and reload and
/ firing deliberately at the enemy, with only
! their heads exposed as they fired, coOliy re-
| loaded and continued the charge. If perhaps
/ the enemy fired somewhat wildly in their
haste as they peered above their shelter
/ their bullets sped the souls of not few
1 brave men 10 the country yet unexplored,
and wounded and mutilated the bodies of more.
Moving steadily, firing and reloading, and
/ coming to close quarters, they attacked with
such audacity aud intrepidity that their onset
/ became Irresistible, and drove the enemy in
/ disorder from their position to the crest of the
mountain, with heavy loss in killed and
wounded and the capture OF few prisoners.
| In the position from whence the enemy had
! been driven the Union line was halted, taking
| advantage IN loading of the cover that it af-
| fCrdcd, and kept up the contest with the enemy
| ~ the summit, whose fire, from their large
! numbers, came at times IN tremendous volleys
as If " 10 sweep OuT men in one fro from the
! mOuutain-side."
/ BOTH REGIMENTS WORKED TOGETHER WITH
GREAT GOODNESS,
and, emulous 10 excel in their marksmanship
! the men seemed only anxious To get steady
aim while discharging their pieces. For con.
I siderable time the position was held unaded
( tie enemy, IN spite OF their greatly superior
numbers, not daring 10 make an attempt tc
drive them back by a charge. Then the 32d
/ Ohio Col. Swinney, and the SD Ohio Col
4 Cautwcll, moved up to their assistance and
took position In their midst. The Sd w. Va.
Col. Thompson, moved to turn the enemy;
right, and if possible reach their rear. In thi!
movement the 3lst Va. was encountered, moi
unsuccessiully, IN the woods; but Jackson
I sending ~ two bTigades tFulkers0n's s and Camp
BELLS farther advance was checked. Jackson
had BY this time his entire army Excepting
1 tie StQueWall BRIGADE held in reservel in nosi