The National tribune., 1902-06-12

the early Summer of o., during "ii'h
he drove the forces then under ten.
Banks out of the Shenandoah Valley,
threatened Washington. and turned back
reipforcements en- route to Mcclellan.
that in numbers were vastly superior to
the entire command then under Jackson,
was in its results one of the most COM
plete and remarkable ia military history;
and then, to crown all. Jackson and his
entire command by forced marches join
ed Lees army and almost Immediately
threw his troops upon McClellans forces.
taking a most prominent and important
part in the defeat of the Union army in
its ION to Richmond" movement.
Prior to this remarkable campaign
Jackson had been defeated ut Winchester
by force under command of Gen. James
Shields. who, after he had driven the
Confedcrates far up or actually out of
that valley. stationed the troops comprls-
ing his division III camps at commanding
points therein. so, as he thought, would
securely guard it from an unexpected re-
turn of the enemy.
At that time ShieldS's reputation as a
fighting and successful General was so
great and the esDrit-de-corps of this COM
about was as peaceful and undiSturbcd
as is a May morning. Under these condi-
tons Shields. however, chafed and fretted.
as he knew full well that such quietude
would not put down the rebellion. or add
10 his own military reputation. SO Shields
sought and obtained permission 10 march
his troops across the country and JON the
forces then under Mcdowell ut Fred
erickSburg. Va, who We're there organic
ing with the object of joining McCleilanS
grand army. then about to begin the ''on
to Richmond" movement in obedience to
popular clamor. and possibly with the APP
prevail of the War Department.
LEAVING TIE SHENANDOAH.
Upon obtaining his orders. Shields got
his troops in readiness for the march
through what was then regarded as the
enemy's county. and one beautiful May
morning the tents of the troops of his
entire division were struck. and we began
our march. moving down the valley, until
we reached the headquarters of Gen.
Banks, located nearly opposite one of the
passes into the Luray Valley. which was
parallel to that of the Shenandoah. but
separated therefrom by the river and Il
ridge. At this point the head of column
of ShieidSs Division turned to the right,
for the purpose of reaching the other val
ley. We thinking that we Were bidding the
Shenandoah farewell for time if not for
ever
We soon learned that our march meant
Fredericksburg. and that we were on our
way 10 Richmond. At this information
all was excitement in Shields's command:
but Banks's meii, whom we We're leaving,
looked as solemn and disconsolate as if
they thought we were going to perdition,
and they were losing a body of men that
they lily could afford to spare.
IT,, hat ne's oh hn
Ohio reached the point where we turned
for the Luray Valley, Gen. Shields and
his staff rode up TO the headquarters tents
of Gen. Banks. As they approached Gen.
Banks and some of his staff officers STEP
ped out to greet them. Shields and his
officers dismounted and all shook hands,
apparently talking about the movement
thai had begun.
l could see that there was the same
difference in the spirits of these officers
that was noticeable in their men. Shields
and his officers were alert, smiling, and
ready. but Banks and his officers appear
ed to be lacking in these qualities. and ap
peared to doubt the wisdom of this move
ment, which. it can be said, was not made
with the consent of Gen. Banks. This
conference lasted but a few moments;
then they all shook hands. and bade each
other farewell. Shields and his officers
mounted their horses and rode rapidly to
reach the head of column then on the
march.
Our march to Fredericksburg was
rapid one. but was without molestation
by the enemy, and we arrived there ahead
of the time set. Soon after we reached
our campground we received word that
McDowell's command, to which we were
then attached, was TO be reviewed by
President Lincoln, who had come down
from Washington for that purpose, and
that Shelds's Division, as the heroes of
the battle of Winchester and of the lust
ly famous march that we had just COM
pleted, were expected to make quite
figure in that review. That review passed
off remarkably well, and McDowell's
army made splendid appearance, which
We were told was very gratifying to Presi-
dent Lincoln; but to us the tail form of
the President, dressed in citizens cloth
Ing, was the most notable figure amidst
those many thousands. But az that very
hour Stonewall Jackson was executing a
movement and carrying out & plan that
was to render the great AMY of Nc
Dowell of no avail in NIClellan's attack
upon Richmond.
sfoNEWs.LL JACKSON ACTIVE.
Shields men had hardly reached their
capTIng ground when all was excitement
again, as orders had come that this divi-
sion was to return by forced marches to
the Shenandoah Valley, as Jackson was
there, and had driven Banks's forces pelI-
nell before him, and was threatening
Washington. This intelligence created the
most intense interest, and was followed
by orders for the troops to prepare them.
selves for another hard march, although
as yet they had had no rest from the one
that they had just finished. If the in
formation wns startling, the orders were
urgent, and the movement began at once
and night and day we plodded on upon
our weary return. through the rough, rag
ged country that led us through
ThorOughfare Gap and on until we reach
ed the vicinity of Front Royal When the
word came back that the enemy was
there, our troops were Immediately hur.
ried forward, but the enemy gave up the
place and retreated to Strasburg, Just
opposite, in the Shenandoah Valley, where
Jackson's army was being concentrated
he having fallen back from Winchester
toward this place after having driven all
OF the Union forces out of the Valley and
across the Potomac.
The completion of this march brought
us back to our old camping ground, and
face to face with Jackson's command
1t seems that while we were returning
from Fredericksburg Gen. Fremont had
been ordered TO concentrate the forces in
West Virginia and move for the Shenan.
doah, and Mcdowell had suspended his
march to join Mcclellan, and with a large
command was following Shields. and Other