The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-06-04

vertisement to the effect that the line
under the management of Messrs Lee
and Meade. would continue to make
weekly TRIPS between Orange Court
House and Alexandria. but that the ex-
tension of the lipe into PENNSYLVANIA
disastrous collision which occurred at
Gettysburg fut
The Army of the Potomac was now
for the first time moved with the abso-
lutte precision of pieces upon a chess
board. and its itinerary was as fine an
exhibition 9f the science of logistics as
the history of war affords. Nothing In
Napoleon's paimiest days surpassed this.
Every corps was moved on exact time
to the place where it could best resist
the enemy or support the other corps
in the event of their being drawn into
action.
Immediately after receiving the news
which Pleasonton brought Hooker
moved the Third Corps to the Kappa
hammock between Beverly Ford and
RappahannOck Station to aid the cav
airy in guarding the upper fo,ds of the
river. June 1 2 the FIRST and Eleventh
Corps were moved to where they could
assist the Third Corps or dispute the
passages of the Bull Run Mountains il
Lee should attempt repetition of Jack
sons tactics. of the year before. The
First Corps took up its position at
Feaieton Station, while the Eleventh
Corps established itself at Catlett's Sta
ton. These three corps were made the
Right Wing of the army and placed un-
der Gen. Reynolds. an officer of proved
ability, and who had been considered
for the command of the army. but who
peremptorily rejected all tentatives Hook
ing to such a promotion. This Right
Wing was in position of the greatest
mobility. where it could come back to
the Rappahannock IL the exigencies de-
handed it, or throw itself across Lees
path at WarrentOn or Manassas if that
should be the game. Gen. Hooker re-
manned with the Left Wing. consisting
of the Fourth Corps. near Falmouth,
waiting for Lees plans TO develop.
/. The Valley Of Humiliation. ssf-
sHalleck's unconquerable desire to
manage everything from his desk in
Washington now added another to the
many humiliations which the Union
armies had received in the Valley of
the Shenandoah. In this we should not
wholly exculpate Gen. Milroy. in COM
mand there. who was an admirable sol
der and really fond of fighting, and
which in this instance led to his mis-
fortune. AS before stated. Ewell, inIi-
tating Jacksons swift marches. left Gull
20 batteries, and allowing his men no
rest for so miles reached the banks of
the Shenandoah OH the evening of June
~, and then pushed ROdes's Division
still further on to the right to Berry
vile. Intelligence of this had been
promptly communicated TO Washington,
and Halleck had directed that the stores
and ammunition at Winchester be sent
back to Harpers Ferry and that town
only occupied bysa lookout post. Gen.
Schenck, who commanded the depart
rhent, Issued orders to Milroy to accom-
plish this, but Milroy protested saying
that he could hold the place against any
force that was liable to attack him, an
that he was. exceedingly reluctant to
sacrifice the Un ! I men in Winchester.
who rrelied. upon him for ). protection
Thereupon Milroy was informed that he
might remain. but must -be-inu diness
to retreat with great promptness. Mil
roy. however, was not Informed that
Lees army had left Fredericksburg, and
he had no suspicion that there was in
the Valley anything beyond the force
which he had kHen -encountering sue
cessfully for some months. June Il
Milroy sent out sscouting; parties which
discovered a considerable force at
Cedarville, J@nt- supposed this was part
of Stuart's raid of which he had heard.
However, he autographed the facts to
Gen. Schenck, and asked for specific or
'ders whether he Should hold his posi-
ton, or retreat. on Harper'sl Ferry. AS
the enemy had cut his wires he received
no answer to this. Milroy at the same
time sent messenger to Col. Mercy
holds, who was on outpost at Berryyille.
with the Information of the approach
of large body of the enemy from the
'dircctioif of Front Royal. and directing
him TO rcconnoiter it and fall back On
Winchester If he found himself likely
Ito be attacked by! superior numbers
This information came in 'go6d time, as
Ewell had seat Rodes' ~ Dfaisionitoieap-
j'ture McReynolds, who made a success
itful retreat. covering his rear With Alex
.ander's battery. the 9Th Ma.:andia part
lof the LIST n. Y. Cav. He would not
allow HIMSELF to be hurried, and Jen-
kins's Cavalry, which Rodes had flung
I'upon him, WIS repulsed at the crossing
OF the Opeauan by the musketry of the
rear guard and the canister of the ar
ltillery. McReynolds reached Winches-
/, ter safely at 10 p. M. after march OF
1880 miles. About the same time another
outpost of 200 men. under Maj Morris
stationed at Bunker. Hill, was attacked
Morris had been in fortified church
and upon the first advance of the ene-
iimy, thinking itiwas only light: force
| he marched out. to, attack II, but dis
covered himself in the presence of. a
lime of battle of about 1000 men, where
upon he retreated, fighting. to the
Ichurch. and made such a good defence
that he was able to stand off the enemy
| until nightfall.l when he slipped back
Ito Winchester. 7E.u - =. 40,
In spite of this Gen. Milroy could not
hiring himself to believe that Lees army
had gotten away from Hooker and was
lin force in the Valley. On the morning
of June Is Milroy made preparations
for a decided stand against what he be-
l.lieyed was an attack by, the. enemy :
cavalry. strengthened, possibly, by some
l'brigades Of infantry. Gen. Eiliott's Rri-
gade was sent out ON the right to the
battlefield of Kernstown, and Col. Ely's
portion of both these brigades
that the two numbered about 5000 eff
fectives. Elliott took position on the
hills on the far side of Abraham
Creek, and the brigades offered so stub
born a resistance that Early had to
bring his whole division into line to
move them 1t is true that Early's men
had been marching hard and were much
fatigued, but Elliott did not fall back
until he had, been outfianked, when he
withdrew across the stream to Bowers
Hill, and EARLY Vas compelled to allow
| him to go AnmO1ested. while his SOL
diers sank down to an imperatiyely-
needed rest JohnsGns Confederate Di
lvision encountered Col, Elys Brigade
about two and oiie-half miles from Win
chester, and iaftcS some, sharp fighting
drove it sll9Swg "a back by turning its
| Hanks -"