Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-03-06

"Stonewall' on the banks OF the Po-
tomac, over a hundred miles from his
base, and a threatening storm in his
rear.
So rapid and so sudden had been
"Stonewall's" blows against Banks
that the Union authorities had given
no thought to sending relief to the
latter. but as soon as ii became known
in Washington that the Confederates
had pursued Banks as far as the Po-
tomac, trap" was set for the willy
leader who dealt almost exclusively
i'm mystery. Gen. Mcdowell was or
dered to send troops from the east
ecross the Blue Ridge, and get be
tween Jackson and his base at Staun-
ton, and Fremont was ordered TO do
the same from the mountains on the
west. After some telegraphing it was
arranged between President Lincoln,
Fremont and Gen. Mcdowell that a
column of McDowelrs command
should make junction with Fremont
at Strasburg, Nav 81. Jackson sur
missed that his enemies would attempt
TO bar his retreat back up the valley,
and FASTENED his movements 80 that
he was at Strasburg 10 keep an APP
pointment not counted upon by his
adversaries Some OF his infantry
marched thirty-six miles on the 3lst
After il was all over Jackson sent
word to his government that through
the blessing Of an ever kind Provl-
dence" he had passed Strasburg be-
fore the Federal armies effected a
junction in his rear. His soldiers took
different view of the causes at the
bottom Of it. and dubbed themselves
"Jackson's Foot Cavalry" in honor
of their achievement-thirtysiN miles
day.
In point of fact Gen. McDowell's 5
column, led by Gen. Shields, and Ere
mont's army, also, reached the valley
pike on which jackson was retreat
ing, near Strasburg, on MAY 81. and
lively skirmishing took place all
around. But jackson fought them
off in both directions, and kept them
at bay until both Shields and Ere
mont set out men for point OF meet
ing farther up the valley. jackson
also set out for the next convenient
point for the junction, which was
New Market, midway between Stras-
burg and Staunton. Here he de-
stroyed the bridge on the Shenan-
doah on Shields route, and moved
another peg back to Port Republic,
where there was a bridge on Ere
mont's route. At this point stone
WALL decided to strike his enemies
again. The village of Port Republic
lies in an angle between North and
South rivers, which unite to form the
south fork OF the Shenandoah, the
stream that rolled as IA barrier be-
tween Fremont and Shields In or
der to reach Port Republic Fremont
must pass the North river and Shields
the South river. The North river
had bridge, the South a ford, and
Jackson prepared to defend both, and
also to give battle to Fremont and
Shields in turn. Planting his army
along the heights Of North river, be-
tween Fremont and the bridge, he
stationed a picket in Port Republic to
warn Shields from the ford on South
river.
Fremont and the advance of Shields
reached the scene on the 18th of June.
Shields men dashed into Port Repub-
lie early in the day and drove Jack
sons men out, himself among them
and planted IL cannon at the end OF
the bridge, commanding it complete
ly. Luckily for Jackson, the leader
of the Union detachment scattered
his men in his zeal to gobble up ev-
ervthing within reach, and failed to
destroy the bridge. With this bridge
DESTROYED Jackson would have been
caught between Fremont on his front
and an impossible river behind him,
and Shields would have been in po-
sition TO play across the stream with
artillery in Jackson's rear. Seeing
the danger, "Stonewall'' hastily gath
cred some cannon and opened on the
Union gun. and soon led n regiment
across the bridge, clearing the Union
troops out Of Port Republic eifectual-
ly.
During the skirmish at the bridge
between Jackson and Shields, Fre-
mont attacked the Confederates in
his front. and the result was stub
born battle, known as Cross Keys
Fremonts tactics were TO break
through the Confederate flank resting
near the bridge, and 50 open the way
for Shields. whom he believed 10 be
in the vicinity, TO cross over TO his
aid. Jackson rppulsed Fremont sue
cessfully at first. and the latter was
making ready for a new attack when
courier from Shields reached him
with note that led him 10 believe
the Shields column held Port Repub-
lie He decided 10 wait until the
morning OF the 9th before renewing
the battle, counting on Shields 10 do
something.
During the night Jackson resolved
upon another bold plan. Fremont
had been pretty severely punished, il
not stunned. in the action at CrOs:
Keys His next move would there
fore be cautious, and light Confed
crate force on the admirable ground
selected to receive Fremont's attack
would he able to check him indefi