The National tribune., 1889-04-04

Of their number Of cavalry, and ill-armed at
that. Night falling, and Jackson rejoicing be-
yoHd measure at his success. the "cyclone"
halted at Front Royal, subsided, and sank to
rest.
There were four Union Generals at this time in
Virginia holding Independent commands: Nc
Clellan, on the Peninsula; Mcdowell, at Fred
ericksburg: Fremont, at franklin, and Banks,
at Strasburg Banks was undoubtedly an abler
man in every respect than either Mcdowell or
Fremont. and in every element OF manhood was
probably McCiellan's superior, and, except as to
matters of engineering mere routine and de-
tail. though without military education, alb
surd as it may seem, was probably his equal as
practical soldier; and chiefly to
McCLELLAN's INDIGESTION AND TIMOEoUs IN
ACTIVITY,
and similar characteristics in the others, was
due the isolated and seemingly perilous posi-
tion he was now in. He was a man Of many
good qualities and varied talents, though per-
haps given to a little too much display; of
pleasing manners, possessing the quality OF
attracting friends: with quick perception, he
generally sifted and Disseminated well the
numerous and conflicting reports commonly
reaching Generals headquarters: had a fair
comprehension Of the situation, though not
without suggestion; refrained from harassing
the President and Secretary Of War with petty
and vexing requests by calling upon them for
1ltl abll4tlCS. 10 WHICH TIC OlUGI5 httS So
painfully prone; and withal was politician of
more than ordinary ability, clear, foreble
and polished writer and an orator Of no mean
degree. 1t is probable, however, that his abili-
ties were more suited to the council board and
the higher duties Of civil affairs than to the
rOugheT paths of war; that he lacked in some
degree the daring, decision and sustained moral
and physical courage which has always been
such 4 conspicuous Characteristic IN all great
commanders since great deeds in war have been
recorded; and in which, it may be said, his col
leagues lacked even In more marked degree
Yet had such men as Shields, Schenck or
MilToy been retained at his side to execute and
advise, il is probable that he would have taken
the responsibility and backed them III any
movement their daring and enterprise may
have suggested.
Fremont had notified him of Jackson's ap-
proach-where he seems to have thought his
duty began and ended-and he was, therefore,
expecting him. but on his front at Strasburg,
and had written Secretary Stanton concerning
it only the day before despondingly. But as
the lookout from Front Royal had been grossly
inefficient, tie arrival there was unexpected.
About o'clock the night the whirlwind
struck he received a vague report of an attack
by some 5000 men, the retreat of Our forces
and the advance of the enemy on the Middle
town road toward Strasburg. This he tele-
graphed to Secretary Stanton. and which was
communicated TO Fremont and Mcdowell. An
hour later q telegram came from Capt. Saville,
one Of those who made their escape and had
arrived at Winchester, that his Colonel had
been killed, the regiment and the cavalry cut
all 10 pieces and were prisoners" and that the
enemy, from " u, 900 TO 10000 strong, were on
the march to StFasburg." This was also COM
nunicated 10 Washington. Then the Captain
was interrogated by Gen. Crawford at VIM
chester, and he reaihrmed his statements, . as
"a chs - This olca Mr.
Stanton was informed of, though Banks said
he thought the enemy's force Overestimated,
but believed it to be large, probably 10000. AS
the small hours of the night grew, so did
Banks anxiety, and not only did the loss of
his communications with Winchester seem im-
pending but even his capture seemed possible
10 him. Preparations for retreat were begun,
and the dogs, with the sleeping villagers, be-
came reused by the commotion and hustle and
the rumbling Of Banks's train of over 500
wagons, with the four-horse teams attached,
moving to the rear toward Winchester. At
o'clock a. 10. of the oath the President sent his
response, which was received by Banks at
about q. m, as follows: arrangements are
making to send you ample reinforeements. Do
not give up the ship until suceor can arrive"
To which Banks replied, at 7:15: Thanks for
dispatch. We shall stand firm. Enemy is
undoubtedly IN strong force. Reported on the
road TO Winchester this morning in strength
from 6,000 TO 10000"
As we saw, jackson at Front Royal was east
Of Banks about 10 miles; the Massanutten
Mountain towering between them. though ter
minating as abruptly as if hewn down at the
north fork Of the Shenandoah, which runs
westerly from Front Royal 10 Strasburg; Win
chester lay 10 the north, about 20 miles from
either; roads branched from the Front Royal
and Winchester road, and intersected the Stras-
burg and Winchester road at Middletown, New
n n
on the march toward Winchester; Jackson fol-
lowing in expectation of so threatening the
enemy's rear by the interseeting roads and
with odds Of about % to >, as to induce him to
fall back, and thus enable him
TO ATTACK WHILST RETREATING.
Col. Broadhead, with some of 1st the Mich Cav,
reached Winchester from Strasburg during the
morning and reported the road clear. The
uncertainty and anxiety seems to have been
more than Banks could bear, and by o'clock
his spirit had failed him: apprehension as
serted its influence. and his resolution TO stand
firm gave way. He decided to trust to luck
and ruu-for Winchester and safety and began
the retreat. He probably lost an opportunity
for advancement and fame which is rarely
offered to a man-though most Generals would
probably have done as he did-and which he
doubtless afterwards regretted not embracing.
he should have stuck to the Ship but had his
train in readiness and made his calculations to
retreat, if necessary, westward, where there
was position he could have held against al
most any odds until Fremont came to his aid
Retreat in this direction suggested itself to him.
but not until afterwards. Then, he formed an
inaccurate judgment of Jackson's character and
! oveTestimated his audacity and enterprise.
! Then, too, Jackson had been cautioned
unnecessarily it is conceived-against attack
ing fOrtifcations as hazardous; and it was quite
/ inconsistent with his character to expect
strong and concentrated blow Neither is it
+ likely, had Banks stood firm, that he would
have advanced farther north for fear Of expos
ing his tender rear He simply followed his
ruling idea, with the expectation of soaring
/ Banks away from Strasburg by demonstration
I toward his rear. But falling the chances are
that he would have contented himself with his
meager success at Front Royal, drawing FIRE.
/ mont toward him, and scampering back up the
! Valley again. His nomadic and peculiar pro-
cedure should never have been elfeetual. un-
/ less in exceptional cases, and with those whom
/ self-preservatiOn is paramount to every other
/ consideration "-as Gen. Franklin tells US was
the case at that time-and during the panic
and scare that Jackson created among our Gen
/ erals on the Peninsula about a month later.
| But Banks, considering the enormous odds
/ against him, appeared to great advantage as
/ compared with our General on the Peninsula,
and during the retreat comported himself gal
lantiy, remaining with his soldiers throughout.
As the main part Of Bankss column passed
Cedar Creek ahouf fhraa Fn iIac on tho road IN