Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

On the 18th. perceiving that Fremonts move
ments southwark had been effectually checked,
and having blockaded the road5 leading into
the shenandoah valley from the west. Jackson
again turned enersetically in the direction Of
Gen. Banks. whose forces we're now somewhat
scattered. having been drawn back from the
extreme front For this movement against
Banks Jackson gathered together an effective
force OF about $4,000 men. with forty-eight
cannon. Banks early aware of Jackson's
return to the VALLEY, but seems to have been
surprised at his sudden appearance on his left
flank.
The first blow fell on the Esd at Front Royal,
where Col Kenly of Maryland and his $40
men were quickly routed and most OF them
captured. Banks only had about 6.o00 infan-
try and 1000 cavalry with which TO meet the
confederate onset,and soon as the tidings Of
henly's disaster came in lie instantly retreated
from Strasburg to Winchester. and none too
soon, az Jackson's advance was right after
him. He was really compelled 20 stop and
fight at Winchester to save his trains This
occurred on tho 2Jth, Jackson attacking at
daylight and easily overwhelming the small
federal force opposed to him. The losses at
Winchester were not large. but nevertheless
Banks movement toward the rear was greatly
accelerated. In fact, from Winchester he began
what was really race for the Potomac at
Williamsport, by way of Martinsburg. the con-
federates only failing 10 head him off by mis-
taking his probable route as toward Harper's
Ferry. But fast as Banks had made time for
the north bank of the Potomac. he saved nearly
all his trains and lost no artillery. Crossing
over at Willismsport he broathed more freely.
jackson claims to have captured 8. $50 prisoners
in his rush on Banks. which is probably an
overestimate. Banks losses otherwise were
very small AID Jackson's even less The pr;n-
cipal disaster was il the consequent miscar-
riage of important Union plans in other and
greater fields.
TRYING TO BAG JACKSON.
Thus in turn was Banks thrown out Of the
combination. To divert Mcdowell Jackson
made threatening demonstrations at Harpers
Ferry, as if meditating push for Washington.
His strength, of course. was very GREATLY ex-
aSgerated Reinforcements were hurriedly
sent up to Banks, Mcdowell was at once re-
called from Fredericksburg and ordered to
dispatch q strong column under Shields toward
the Shenandoah to cut off Jacksons retreat.
BY orders from Washington Fremont had also
turned toward Jackson's rear at Strasburg aad
was advancing as rapidly as the blockaded
roads permitted Thus two armies were NOV
ing from opposite directions toward a common
center to cut OFF the rebels. The wary jackson
was noting or expecting all these movements.
As soon as he learned that his chief object had
been achieved-the Withdrawal of Mcdowell
from the direction OF Richmond-he hurriedly
began his retrograde up the Shenandoah on
the 30th.
Then followed an exciting contest OF legs.
There was really some hope of bagging Jack
son, and had such man Us Sheridan been in
command Of McDowell's column it would
doubtless have proved disastrous retreat for
him. McDowell's troops had already entered
Front Royal, but twelve miles from Jackson 9
line Of retreat, when his head of column was
at Winchester, eighteen miles back, and the
rear still near Harpers Ferry, fully forty miles
away. Fremont, ON the west was then bu: