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

the main body Of his troops on the lat
ter date up the valley, reaching Stras-
burg the Slst. He was none too soon. for
the advance OF McDowelrs troops under
Shields had already crossed the Blue
Ridge and had appeared at Front Royal.
distance of twelve miles from Stras-
burg
Fremont, on the other side, was dis
tant with his advance only ten miles.
Two brigades OF Jackson's forces had
been left by him In front OF Harper $
Ferry with orders 10 march the 3ist and
join the main body. Their distance from
Strasburg was over fifty miles. ana Jack
son with his troops must keep the road
open until they Joined him. SO, sending
a part Of General Ewells Division on
the Romney road to check the advance
OF Fremont, with the remainder Jackson
held on at Strasburg The night OF the
3lst brought the two brigades he had left
behind TO Strasburg. after an extraor-
binary march OF thirty-six miles.
ADMIRATION FOR THE LEADER.
Our surprise and admiration at the
perfect knowledge Jackson seems TO have
had Of the movements Of the Union
armies and their exact positions; the
unexanpled ceeritv with which he
moved: the adroit manner IN which
he slipped through the meshes Of
the net that had been spread TO
catch him, Is only equalled by the
shame and Indignation we feel that so
much incompetency was shown on the
part OF our Union generals.
Having started his wagon train filled
with the spoils Of his brief campaign, he
withdrew his army up the valley leaving a
strong rear guard 20 check a too vigorous
pursuit on the part OF Fremont. General
Shields, instead of Joining Fremont at
Strasburg and pressing Jackson with
their united forces, turned down the Luray
Valley, with the hope and expectation OF
crossing the south branch o. the Shenan-
doah. and striking the flank and rear or
Jackson. But this movement was known
to Jackson, and as the latter proceeded
up the main valley, he destroyed every
bridge crossing the Shenandoah, and de-
feated Shields purpose. Fremonts pur-
suit was feeble, and resulted In no en-
qagement Of any Importance until the
main body Of Jackson's army had reach
ed Port Republic where the two valleys
unite. Here Jackson formed the bold plan
of fighting his pursuers I'm detail. Gle
directed General Ewell to oppose the
further progress OF General Fremont,
while he with his own and the division
of JohnSon's, held Port Republic, and
I'm case Of need) General Ewell formed
held his force in readiness to assist him
his line OF battle at Cross Keys, about
half way between Port Republic and Har-
risonburg, and in sharp fight forced
Fremont from the field. Shields's cavalry
now appeared upon the scene and made
an Eruption into Port Republic, but were
quickly driven out. The following day.
General Jackson, leaving small force TO
repress Fremont, crossed the river at Port
Republic, attacked the leading brigades OF
Shields, and drove them in confusion dowp
The valley. with large losses In killed,
wounded. and prisoners. Fremont cane
I'D on the opposite side Of the river IN
time TO hear the last guns of the battle
and TO find that the bridge had been de-
stroyed by Jackson, that he had lost ms
game. and could render no help 10 Shleius.
The result of this pursuit of Jackson was
verv different from both Shields and Ere
mont had promised the government az
washington in their daily dispatches.