Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-08-22

our local history, It Is our intention to
reproduce It in these columns. We feel
sure that our readers win enjoy the
splendid tribute to his Chief OF one who
made !, hess Battery immortal.
THE EDITOR
Continued from last week.
Washington Panic stricken.
This defeat of Banks created the
greatest CONSERVATION in the North.
The number Of Jackson's troops was
greatly exaggerated. It was thought
the whole Confederate army was NOV
| ing on Washington. The Administra-
ton caIle.l for additional troops, and
all of the commands available were
sent to Harpers Ferry. The intended
march of General Mcdowell was coun-
fernandez, and he was ordered to send
a large part of his command to the
Valley. Fremont was recalled, and
ordered to march to the support of
Banks. 1t is even said the President
wired Mcclellan he must attack Rich
mond at oree or bring his army 10 the
defence of Washington. jackson had
fallen like thunderbolt upon Banks
and driven him pell nell into Maryland.
His success was complete. General
Winder was sent with the Stonewall
Brigade to Harpers Ferry. A large
force of Federals had been assembled
at Harpers Ferry under Saxton aud q
part of this army was encountered near
Charles Town and routed. RWell's
Division was ordered to support Winder
and by the 29th Iacksonts army was
concentrated near Halltown in Jefer
son County. Ashhy was sent to watch
Fremont in the direction of Wardens
vile. in Hardy County. Information
was sent to General jackson at this
time that Mcdowell was advancing
toward Front Royal and that Fremont
was moving east from Moarefeld,
There was nothing for him to do but
| fall back in order to escape deatruc-
tion. Over go 900 men were assembling
to attack him. Ordering his army back,
he took the train from Charles Town
to Winchester. When half way there,
q courier dashed Up, the train was
stopped, and the message delivered that
the 18th Georgia had been driven from
Front Royal and that McDowell's adj
vance guard was in possession of the
town. Jackson coolly read the dis
patch and tearing it up, ordered the
| man to return to his command. At
this time Jackson estimated his troops
at $1,000. On May sQth the whole
army Of the Valley was on ita march
to Straaburg. The distance to be COW
cred by Winder's Brigade was 40 miles.
His march was undisturbed, Ashby
impeded the march of Fremont and
Shields remained inactive at Straahurg.
The army during the afternoon of the
a1st, reached strashurg, but the Stone
wall Brigade encamped near Newtown,
the bulk of that command having
marched 2s, and part of it IS miles In
one day.
Falling Back on Harrisonburg.
On the morning of June lst, Fremont
had moved within six miles of Stras-
burg, but Ewell, moving out, checked
his advance. Winder passed through
Strasburg at noon, and jackson pursued
his way toward Harrisonburg. His re-
treat upon that place was attended by
no remarkable occurrence. Ashby pro-
tected his rear. and by his order burned
the bridges over the eastern fork of
the Shenandoah river, preventing
Shields, who was advancing up the Luz
ray, Valley from crossing that river.
In the short period of fourteen days
jackson had marched 40 miles, had de-
feated and routed Banks, thrown the
/ North into a state of CONSERVATION by
a threatened invasion, had tolled Nc
Dowell away from McClellah's right;
had paralyzed tnat Generals plans and
made his escape with immense stores,
captured from the enemy. Converg-
Ing upon his position at Strasburg were
over $1,000 Federal troogs. while he
had not in excess of Is, 600 men When
General Jackson reached Harrisonburg
on June 9th he turned the head of his
| column to the left and marched toward
Port Republic.
Port Republic
fremont was in close pursuit and
Shields was moving up on the east side
of the Shenandoah River. About two
miles from Harrisonburg, General
Wyndham.. who had asked to be sent
to the Valley to capture Ashby, charged
in advance Of their infantry: By q
quick movement, Ashby cut him of
and captured him and put his Brigade
to route. Going back toward Harris
go