The National tribune., 1904-04-28
'erfectly impracticable. if Hooker was t,
ave any observance of his express in
;tructions to cover Washington. 40

'erfectly impra cticable, if Hooker was t.
ave any observance of his express in"
tructions to cover Washington.
HooKER's RETRoGRADE MOVEMENT.
Thus prevented from taking tho onl.
step that would have given him the ini
siative. Hooker was fain to fall back or
he interior line towards Washington, tax
ng positions defensive as regards thu
capital. and which would enable him to
!wait the development Of Lees designs.
Upon learning the movement of the enem!
The 18th. broke up his camps along the
ltappahannoek,. and moved rapidly on the
direct route towards Washington, follow
ng and covering the line of the Orange
4 Alexandria Railroad. The first move
was to Bealton, Warrenton. and Catletts
Fairfax Station and Manassas, on the
18TH and 10th Here he remained severa
lays, while awaiting the disclosure of q
series of movements which Lee was then
making. and to the exposition Of which ]
now return.
FEDERALs FORCED FROM THE sHENAN-
DoAH.
When on the 18th. Hill, holding the lines
OF Fredericksburg, saw the Union army
disappear behind the Stafford hills, he
knew that that for which he had remained
took up his line of march towards Cul-
peper, where Longstreet's Corps still held
position. Meantime. Ewell was making
his Jackson-like swoop into the Val
ley. Gen. Jenkins with his cavalry brigade
had been ordered to advance towards Win
chester, in cooperation with Ewell, and
Imboden with troopers had been thrown
out in the direction of Romney, to cover
the movement on Winchester, and prevent
its garrison from receiving reenfOrcements
from the troops on the line of the Balt-
more Il Ohio Railroad. Both these Off
GERS were in position when Ewell reached
River near Front Royal. Ewell detached
Rodes's Division to Berryyille, to cut off
communication between Winchester and
the Potomac, while with the divisions of
Early and johnson he advanced directly
upon the Federal post. driving Milroy into
his works around the town on the 18th.
position, but his force being intercepted, a
good part Of it was captured in the con-
fused melee. AS, at the same time Gen.
Rodes took Berryville with 700 prison
ers. and the garrison at Harper's Ferry
withdrew to Maryland flights. the Valley
In this exploit Ewel captured over
1000 prisoners. % pieces of artillery. and
large stores. Milroy with a handful of
men escaped across the Potomac. His de-
fense Of the post Entrusted to his care
was infamously feeble. and the worst of
that long train Of misconduct that made
the Valley of the Shenandoah to be called
the VALLEY Of IIumlia ton"
Turning back to the other two corps Of
11ee's army, it appears that on Hills ad-
vance from Fredericksburg to Culpeper.
Longstreet. who had been retained at the
latter place. was pushed northward: but
instead of following the route Of Ewell
- xI.
Blue Ridge. taking position at Ashby' 3
and Smokers Gaps. This served as n
cover to Hill. who slipped through behind
Ieongstreet into the Sifenandoah Valley.
md took position at Winchester. while at
the same time. it served MS fure to draw
Hooker from his base.09
HOOKER COVERED WASHINGTON. ~e-,-~
During the progress Of these move
ments. Hooker, being determined not to be
drawn into manuver that would expose
his right. continued to hold position in the
vicinity Of Fairfax and Manassas, cover
ing the approaches to Washington. while
the cavalry under Pleasonton was thrown
ont to feel towards the passes Of the Blue
Ridge. Here Longstreet's Corps continued
still to hold post. while his whole front
was secured by. Stuarts troopers. At Al
die. the opposing cavalry had, on the
18th. rencounter. which partly developed
IIeC pCSItlon III I1OohcGs WHo tHeu Itll
forward cautiously, sending the Twelfth
Corps to Ieesbnrg, the Fifth to Aldie. and
the Second to Thoronghfare Gap. Pleas
onton. meanwhile followed up Stuart,
driving him on the Goth through Middle
burg. and on the 21st through Upperville
n movement which he felt to be compro-
missing.
LEE INVADED MARYLAND AGAIN.
Meantime, Lee seemed to be master of
the situation. He held strong positions
in the Shenandoah Valley where he was
ready to welcome battle from his oppo-
nent, should he advance while he was
free to cut loose raiding column into
Maryland and Pennsylvania. The longer
Hooker remained on the south bank of
the Potomac. the freer would be the scope
of the fOraging forces, and when lie should
cross to the north side, Lee. relieved from
be able to pass to the north bank also.
which was altogether in the line Of his
plan of invasion.
In pursuance of this purpose. as soon as
Hill and Longstreet had relieved Ewell in
The Valley. that General with the van of
into Maryland. while Imboden's cavalry
was thrown out westward. and effectually
destroyed the great lines Of communicate ton
by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and
the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Jenkins's
troopers had already preceded Ewells ad-
vance by week, and had penetrated
Pennsylvania as far as Chambersburg.
throwing the whole north country into
wild blaze OF excitement. After gathering
in much cattle and horses. which he head
cd towards the Potomac. Jenkins turned
back to join Ewelrs force. which, after
crossing the Potomac, on the 22d. at Will
Transport and Shepherdstown, moved by
two columns on Haeerstown. and thence.
crossing the boundary into Pennsylvania.
passed up the Cumberland Valley. reach
ing Chambersburg on the following day.
The whole region OF Western Pennsylva-
MIA up to the SsIsquelennnah was now open
to Ewell. free to come md to go. without
any other fear than That which might be
inspired by the not very formidable asnert
of the PENNSYLVANIA inilitin. 40 He had.
II. Any possible movement by Hooker
in execution Of this sltegfEtion, would have
uncovered his right, and given Gen. Lee
precisely the opening for such dash OH
Washington which the report of that Gen
eral shows he was wafily watching.
Is. Gen. Lee in his report explicitly de