Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-19

Forty years have passed since "Stone-
WALL Jackson on the Sth day of June
1862 defeated General Fremont at Cross
Keys, and on the following morning rout-
ed General Shields at Port Republic
The traveller passing over that historic
ground to-day, sees country of sur
passing beauty and fertility-with a pros
porous people mainly engaged in the
peaceful pursuit of agriculture, but the
memory of the battle is awakened, and
and imagine the "shoutings of the cap
tains," a S one well-known landmark after
another presents itself to view. To the
South and East of Cross Keys is the high
ridge where Jackson took up his position
hede. About one half mile in front OF
the Confederate line was placed Hays
Louisiana Brigade. Opposed to this was
B1enkins German Brigade. who 1ncon-
Scious of the proximity of the Confed-
crates Concealed as they were behind a
fence that skirted the densely-wooded
RIDGE, advanced across a little meadow
and up the Hill until they We're within
SSNcHtS 1--WE SdIuS Oh TIE boys III grey,
who, taking deliberate airl, poured
destructive fire into their ranks. almost
totally destroying them. It was here that
the heaviest fighting during the day oc-
Cured. The battle ragged from A. NJ,
until about p. NJ Fremont. finding
that he could not break Jackson's centre.
or turn his flank, made another demon
Stration in the afternoon on Jackson'S
extreme left at Cross Keys. which failed.
and he then retreated in the direction of
Harrisonburg. His losses amounted to
nearly 1000 men killed and wounded. while
Jackson's loss was only about 800. Il
The Confederate forces in this battle
fought under the immediate command or
General Ewell.
The house of DR.. Joseph B. Webb, Mrs.
Ann kempson. and Mr.. William Van
Lear, situated at Cross Keys. We're all IL:
the line of fire. Three fourths of mile
east of the little town, stands the house
of Mr.. Abram Flurey; this building was
opposite Jackson's centre. and the family
not having time to leave before the en-
gagement, were forced to remain in the
house while the battle ragged around them.
All of these residences are standing at the
present time. The old Union church near
Cross Keys. which was there at the time
Of the battle, has been replaced by a
more modern building.
The handsome brick residence situate
on the Keezeltown road not far from
Cross Keys and belonging to Mr.. Eduaru
S. Kemper, at that time, was on the line
of retreat taken by Fremont, and was
used by him as hospital for his wound
ed, about eighty of whom were quartered
there till they could be moved by the
Federal authorities to Harrisonburg
Port Republic.
The distance from Cross Keys to this
historical little town is about five miles.
After the battle at the former place Cen
eral Jackson marched his victims forces
to Port Republic. The North and South
rivers which join and form the Shenan-
doah at this place were very high at the
time and the Shenandoah was nearly out
of it banks. Jackson crossed the North
river on bridge which spanned that
stream above its junction with the South
river, and then the bridge was burned.
South river was crossed on a temporary
bridge made by wagons covered with
planks Over this frail structure the en-
tire Confederate army passed. General
Shields was advancing up the east side
Of the Shenandoah, hoping to effect a
junction with Fremont. The two armies
Shields's and Jackson's-came into col
lision at Lynwood. a snort distance below
Port Republic, and victory once more
perched upon the banners of the Immortal
xaoksan> GanA<a4 1>nGaont> yha Aa1 "a