Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-31

NY
GENERAL THOMAS J. JACKSON.
noon, tie brigade under Milroy was en-
countered. and the next day. May Sth,
a fierce and sanguihary engagement took
place between the forces of Jackson ana
Johnson on one side, and Milroy and
Schenck on the other During the night,
the Union forces withdrew from the field,
and. after destroying their stores and all
that could not be transported, retreated
in the direction of Franklin. Jackson fol-
lowed them closely for two days, but was
not able to bring them into another &C
zion. Finding further pursuit would be
without result, he Immediately retracted
his steps and turned down the valley to-
ward Harrisonburg. sending word 10
Ewell TO take up his line Of march and
join him. The united forces OF the three
commands were about 1900 men. Banks
had been stripped OF the larger part Of
his forces by the withdrawal Of Shields,
who was on the march 10 join Mcdonnell
at Fredericksburg. preparatory to the
union with Mcclellan. His force num-
bered about 5000 men, and were en-
trenched at Strasburg, a point Of some
strategic Importance. with the design OF
holding the lower valley against the ir-
ruption Of any force which it was thought
likely might be left in the valley Jack
son. instead Of going straight down the
valley and attacking Banks in front at
Strasburg turned off at New Market,
crossed the South branch OF the Shenan-
doah, and poured down the Luray Valley.
The first obstruction he met with was
regiment OF infantry at Front Royal,
which was quickly overwhelmed, and the
fragments pushed toward Strasburg and
Winchester by the onward march of the
rebel column. The first news which Banks
had that Jackson was on his flank and
threatening his rear at Winchester came
from the frightened fugitives Of the fight
al Front Royal. His trains and infantry
were Immediately put out on the PIKE
from Stras burg to Winchester but De-
fore the rear had passed Middleto"n'
Jackson, with a part OF MS ioIce
struck his column, threw il into
utter confusion. and made large cap
lures Of wagons, men. horses, ana
material Banks, however. reached
winchester with his army some
what broken but not demoralized,
and the next morning after slight show
Of opposition, continued his retreat TO
the Potomac at Willamsport and cross
ine over. found safety on the Maryland
shore.
RESULT OF THE OPERATIONS.
We see as the the result Of these ope-
rations thus far strong detachment OF
Fremonrs army, under Milroy and
Shenck. beaten. Banks's army routed,
the fertile Valley Of Virginia cleared or
Union troops HaTper's Ferry in danger,
and MARYLAND and Washington threaten
ed. In addition to these direct ana
positive results the government at WASH
irgton. with good reason. was thrown
into a state Of alarm and trepidation;
NcDowelTs movement to connect win
Mcclellan was suspended; he was or
dered 10 move 10000 men into the VAL
lev through Manassas Gap TO cut on the
retreat of Jackson; while Fremont with
his whole force was ordered into the
valley at Harrisonburg for the same pur-
pose The whole plan OF Union operations
had been completely upset, and CONFUSION
reiened from one end Of the line 10 the
other. At no time during the war WI
there such dismay at the Notth.
Ths government at Washington ap-
nealed 10 the States nearest the scene OF
action for help 10 ward of the threatened
blow. the Governors Of pennsylvania,
New York. and Massachusetts issued
stirring appeals TO the people OF their
respective States, and the militia was
called upon for service. the force
Of Jackson was largely overesiimated as
well as the magnitude of the danger
THE UNION ARMY FOOLED.
General Geary. who was guarding the
Manassas Gap railroad, seems to have
been sadly misled by that most unreli-
n HE of All creatures, the intelligent con-
traband. He dispatches Secretary stan
ton as follows: Il am informed that
Jackson with a force Of 1000 men Is IN
the mountain pass near Markham ah't
advancing. A similar force Is also on
the south OF me approaching by way o.
Orleans. This statement Ia turnlshed me
5y two contrabands who sought my head
breathless. and who eVlhceo SIN
certify in their manners
There was no truth In either OF the
statements. Ceary was frightened, ana
had lost his head, like good many
others. r,,..
Here is another to President Lincoln
I'M reply to request from the president
TO give him Geary's impression as 10 the
number Of the enemy moving north OF
strasburg and Front Royal After giving
the president an answer 10 his request,
which was extravaganuy incorrect ne
goes on 10 say: "Contrabands have tod
me that they have heard letters read IN
the families Of secessionists In when
they belong saying that 1000 cavalry
are about passing through this valley
from the direction Of Warrenton.
Again TO stanton: MY scouts report
Jackson advancing With large force
through Middleburg 10 to cut. on my
by Aide Gap. This force
Is estimated at at least 10000. RMS IN
formation IS reliable" 1t was utterly
Incorrect Twenty minutes later TO
Stanton: "There are also heavy forces
south Of me, and I cannot hope to sue
cessfully resist the combining elements
against me i might make (he didnt
IKE 10 say retreaD Manassas. II II will
meet with your APPRECIATION The re-
suit was ne made" Manassas, probably
without meeting an armed rebel.
Here is another dispatch from General
Kimban commanding Shields advance
on the march 20 Front Royal, dated New
Market, and directed to General Shields;
1--WE are moving finely; road good Geary
burned 1900 Enfield rifles and 100 car
niaes. all new, tents, and clothing. rms
Is the al-nredest scare ! ever heard or
The railroad is all right one or two bag
gage-cars on the track here and one al
GAINESVILLE. The ore at GAINESVILLE Il
loaded with corn"
Geary on his retreat, must have peeh
in a great hurry 10 leave a ear OF corn
anburned The truth OF It was, there
were only scouting parties from Jack
sons forces east OF the Blue Ridge
Geary was not threatened from any d.
rection-got badly frightened abandoned
the railroad, telegraph cars, In his DIS
graceful panic and retreat
rAe1 of,Nr trL,r,gs tfTQ HEAD