The National tribune., 1891-09-03


being pushel forward found the enemy in re-
treat. 4 Reconnaissance by Col. Cluseret with
the Sth w. Va. and Goth Ohio pushed rapidly
toward StTaSbnrg. when within 4 short distance
of the town he learned that the enemy had
vacated tBc place. So with the addition OF a
battalion of cavalry and a section Of artillery,
he was ordered to take possession Of the town.
Night brought with il another one Of those
terrible storms that had become so frequent Of
late, and this one cxcelled in its downpour OF
rain, aud the lightning and thunder were in
dcscrbable. IL was simply terrifcally grand.
thrilling incident in which Col. Cluseret
aud his command were the actors. is worthy OF
mention. The night just referred TO was simply
black in its darkness, and but for the vivid
fash OF the lightning for the moment one could
moi see his Outstretched hand. Col. Cluseret,
being without guides and unfamiliar with the
country passed through the town, which was
ln darkness aud marching on saw lights IN the
distance, which he supposed was the town, but
upon approaching the same, about ii o'clock,
the lights proved TO DO
THE ENEMY's CAMPFIREs,
and he found himself in the midst Of Ashhy's
cavalry, which was the rear guard of JacksOn's
army. Col. Cluserct at once gave the order to
charge. but at the sharp fire OF Ashby's mon
the cavalry broke i'm a shameful panic carrying
back with it the artillery. To the honor and
A
man of them followed the disgraceful example,
but stood their ground like veterans, and de-
liyered such a steady and weil-dlrected IRE
that the movement Of Ashby was checked.
Col. Cluscret having accomplished the objects
OF his reconnaissance withdrew his men aud
returned 10 the main column. will mention
just here that the Sth w. Va. and Goth Ohio
were new regiments, that had just been re-
cuited and sent TO Gen. Fremont few days
before ne started on his march from Franklin,
and this battle in tho dark was their first in
PRODUCTION TO powder and bullet at the hands
OF the enemy; they were therefore the moro 10
be praised for their gsllautry.
At early dawn on June , Gen. Fremonts
army WAS in motion, and we soon found that
Jackson was in full retreat, and that Wo were
then in pursuit Passing Strasburg We were
joined by Gen. Geo. ID. Bayard, Of Gen. Nc
Dowelps command, with a cavalry force OF
about 500 men and four pieces OF artillery, ana
battalion Of the Pennsylvania BucEtails,'
under Col. Kane After passing Strasburg we
came upOn the scene Of Col. Cluseret's engage
ment OF the night before. IL was marked by
the smolderng campfire Of Ashby's men, also
by one Of our caissous which had been disabled
and left on the ground and by several oi the
eucmy'5 killed and wounded.
The route we were upon was good turnpike
road running from Strasburg 10 the south
ward toward Staunton, aud its even surface
was a welcome exchange for the mire aud
mountain sloughs through which we had re-
Gently passed.
TIE ENEMY BEING CLOSELY PRESSED
by our advance, about 10 a. m. made a stand
aud showed fight; but Col. Pilsen, Chief Of
Artillery on Fremouts staff, had in hand
Bucl's and Schirmcrs batteries supported by
Bayard's cavalry and 600 men from our own
column under Col. Zagonyi, Chief Of Cavalry.
After a sharp engagement, lasting an hour, the
enemy were driven from their position, and
again pursued At intervals during the day
the enemy faced about and were as often COM
PEELED to reliDauish tho fight. In the pursuit
il often happened that the enemy were only
a few hundred yards from our advance.
by sunset the enemy had secured the high
points beyond Woodstock, whero they were
permitted 10 rest in peace, rs our own force
was also glad 10 get needed rest.
The retreat Of this day was a reckless one;
over 500 prisoners fell into our hands, aud
number Of our soldiers, captured from Gen.
Banks, were recovered, besides several hundred
stand Of small-arms, some cast away, aud others
standing IN stacks upon the roadside. Broken
wagons, ambulauces, clothing and blankets
lined the route, all giving unmistakable evil
deuce Of hurried retreat. In ali the fighting
that day our loss was comparatively small, but
two killed and less than a dozen wounded.
seven Of the enemy killed, with several horses.
HIS loss during tho day must have been con-
siderable; OF course thgy would take with
them all killed aud wounded except when too
closely pressed 10 do SO.
June 3 was repetition Of the %. the
enemy fghting aud TetrCatng, We fighting
and advancing Tho enemy. however had
the advantage in ths-thoy devoted much Of
their time in destroying bridges aRd culVerts,
MH44 stlt on
road. Sometimes We would reach a burning
bridge in time to put out the fire. The bridge
over Cedar Creek 40 Mount Jackson was saved
by A Splendid DASH
OF Capt. COBger with a company Of his Sd
W. Va. Cav. The rebel Gen. Ashby, who had
covered the rctreating column, barely escaped
capture by Capt. Conger's men. Tie Captain
pashed on with vIgor, and witnessed the firing
Of the more important bridge beyond Mount
Jackson, crossing the north fork OF the Shenan-
doah. lie made a gallant charge, but the
yolicys Of grape and musketry drove back his
small command; and notwithstanding Gen.
Bayard arrived with his cavalry IN good time,
tAe artillery necessary 10 drive the enemy
from their protected position could not get up
until the fine bridge was in flames. Our loss
during the day was lot over one killed and a
few wounded.
The burning Of tho bridge over the Shenan-
dDdh gave NS decided setback, ana but Tor
the fact that Gen. Fremont had with him pom
t5Ons our advance would have been delayed
several days; but the pontoons were hurried
10 the front, and, notwithstanding the stream
al this point was wide and rapid, having been
swollen by recent rains, Maj. Haskell per-
formed most dangerous aud daring feat by
plunging with his horse into the current, and
by swimming 10 the opposite bank secured the
preparatory ropes
Then a corps Of employees acting as ponton-
iers, under Lieut.. Robinson, Of Ohio with de.
tails from infantry regiments, went actively 10
work. il was now nearly dark aud a heavy
rain was lalliHg, but that faithful band worked
on, uncomplainingiy, throughout the night,
and by 9 o clock in the morning the bridge
was made available for crossing aud a portion
Of our infantry and cavalry gotten over Sud
denly, however, the river fed by the storm
aud mountain tributaries began 70 rise, and
ia the space Of a few hours il had gained fully
j. feet in hight with a current turbulent aud
swift, aud with the drift forcing itself upon
the boats, several Of them wcrA swamped
and 10 save tho bridge from utter destruction
the ropes were cut and the poutoOns that had
cost 50 much labor swung around 10 the north
ern shore, and
OUR ARMY WAS CUT IN TWO;
but that portion that had crossed over the
river was we'll protected by the skilful placing
of batteries upon available bluffs aud hills
For "a hours our army was compelled 20 give
up the cherished pursuit Toward night, how
ever, the stream, as suddenly as 10 had risen,
began 10 subside, when the working parties
renewed their efforts. Tho work was labori-