The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-09-10

/ killed: Wm. Cole and John J. Frelericks OF
/ Co. A; Daniel Spangler, Of Co. B, and James
/ ;. Phillips, of Co Il. ] knew these men well,
/ and the pain their death caused me then lin
! gers with me as / write.
When we consider the severity CT TINS bat
/ tie, so far as the burning Of powder would
/ indicate ii 20 be severe we marvel that SO
4 few men were killed and wounded Another
! coincidence is worthy of mention: while the
| Union forces had few casualties among the
officers, the Confederate casualties among the
officers were exceptionally heavy. oar only
! loss in officers was Lieuts. Aicolai Dunka,
/ Aid-de-Camp 10 Gen. Fremont JAS. nj. Vance,
Goth Ohio, and Frederick Luedors, 9th Pa,
| killed Leuts. Henry Grassan and Bruce H.
Rice died of wounds; Col elisa, Of tho 4lst
| n. Y, Capt Miser and Lieut. Brandensteen, Of
Gen. Blenkers staff wounded.
In concluding my recOllectiOns OF this battle,
don't wish 90 make the impression that the
troops named as having been most hOtly en-
gagged were superior in prowess TO others on
the field, but by reason Of their position in the
line they had the brunt Of the fighting TO do.
That splendid brigade Of Ohio troops com
manded by Gen. Schenck had no superior In the
whole army; and Stenwehr's Brigade, COM
manded by Col. Koltes were also brave soldiers-
All the artillery along our line behaved with
CONSPICUOUS CALAMITY,
and every attempt of the enemy to emerge from
the cover of the woods was Tepulsed by the
assistance Of our batteries. When the battle
ended both armies occupied practically the
positions taken by them in the morning.
Fremont had bvOuacked his command
short distance from the scene of battle, but our
pickets retained securely the ground tenn
porarily relinqushed by the main body. As
neither army seemed TO have gained any ad-
vantage by this engagement Gen. Fremont
very naturally felt mol little annoyance as 10 his
line OF operations for the morrow, when scout
brought in some welcome intelligence. IL was
note from Gen. James Shields commanding
a division OF McDowell's army il was the
first intelligence Gen. Fremont had received
from that quarter since the memorable let
ter Of Gen. Mcdowell Of June G. and quoted in
previous chapter OF these papers.
The following is Gen. Shieldss letter:
LURAH, June 8, l9.30 "A. ny
MaI.-Gen. FREMONT commanding pursuing forces:
write by your scout. think by this time there
VIII be y pieces ot artillery opposite JacksOu's
train at Port Republic II lac has taken thai route
Some cavalry and artillery have pushed on TO
Naynesburg TO burn the bridge. I hope TO have
two brigHdes az Port Republic to-day, ] follow
myself with two other brigades to-day from this
place, II the enemy changes direction, you viii
please keep me advised. IL lac attempts TO force
passage, my force Is not large there vet, hope
you viii thunder down on his rear. Please send
back information from time 10 time ] think jack
son IL caught this time.
Yours sincerely. JAMES SHIELDS.
MfjOr-General commanding division.
Gen. Fremont knew that Gen. Shields was
somewhere in the vicinity of Lursy, but had
received no knowledge of bis whereabouts or
intentions, and this letter gave Gen. Fremont
pretty clear idea OF what would be the pro-
gram on the following day. IL was evident
that Jackson would have to abandon Cross
Keys and throw his whole force against Gen.
Shields at Port Republic. Gen. Fremont there
fore was prepared 10 see his front clear OF the
enemy in the morning. Accordingly he made
preparations for an early advance
Az dawn, as surmised, the enemy was found
to have retired from our immediate front.
Gen. Fremont made no delay in pushing his
troops forward. As we passed over the scenes
OF the preceding days fighting we found
THE ENEMY's DEAD
IN great numbers upon the field, and some 90
horses lying together upon the hight occupied
by his center batteries showing the wholesale
effect Of our artillery.
Our column had not proceeded far when a
black column Of smoke about Eve miles away
showed that the Port Republic bridge was on
fire. and soon after the sound Of heavy cannon
aiding met our ears. Ii was now evident that
Shields was engaging Jackson. Gen. Fremont
~ once put bis command in quick marching
order, hoping 20 be on hand at the interesting
ceremony Of bagging Jackson. So when Gen.
Fremont reached the crest Of the ridge over
looking the sbenand0ah, and beyond ~ the
town Of Port Republic. his eyes met a painful
surprise. He was not 20 be gratifed by the
capture Of Jackson. To tho contrary be was
just in time 10 witness JacksOn's r0tTesting
army, which was now passing lover tho hills
and far away" with the bridge burned an
other illustration Of the fact that the best laid
plans Of mice and nsR gang AFT aglse."
Gen. Shieds's plans, il carried cut, would
have accomplished his purpose. The battle
that did take place was one Of the stnpendous
mistakes that armies sometimes meet with
This bridge, which crosses the ShenadOah was
10 have been burned by Gen. Shields's order,
and he sent Col. Carroll, in command Of a bri-
gade TO burn the bridge Had be done so.
jackson would have had no way open for re-
treat, but would have fallen between FremOnts
aud Shieids's forces. Col. Carroll disobeyed
bis orders, and took il upon himself, with one
small brigade, 10 whip Jackson's 1900 men.
The result was that jackson fell upon Carroll
with all bis force, aud pushing over the bridge
set it on Gre, thereby preventing Fremont's
pursuit. Had the bridge been burned as per
order Of Gen. Shields. his entire division would
have had time 20 come % the front. As il was,
only one brigade. that Of Gen. T. B. Tyler, sue
ceeded in getting 10 the relief Of Col Carroll.
And thus terminated the memorable raid Of
Stoncwall jackson in the Shenandoah
For Col. CarrOl's ds0bedience the soverest
punishment should have been meted out 20
him. cannot, however, close this sketch
without giving that need Of praise 10 Cen IT,
H. Tyler and his command, likewise Col Car
roll and bis men, for the more than heroic do
fense they made in the face Of overwhelming
numbers.