Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-26
/ SO /
EARL US MARCH TO THE GATE

These brigades with two pieces of ar
tillery In the redoubt, arrested the
progress OF the enemy, and RamSeur
other brigade and the part of Gordon's
division arrived, took position on the
same line. The enemy opened heavy
fire of artillery on US. but as night soon
came on he went into camp on our
front.
Orders had been given for the i'm
mediate return of the trains for the rest
of my infantry but 1t did not get to
Lynchburg until late In the afternoon OF
the 18TH and meanwhile / contented my
self with acting on the defensive. There
was artillery firing and skirmishing along
the line. and in the afternoon an attack
was made to the right of the turnpike,
which was handsomely repulsed with con-
siderable loss to the enemy.
AS soon as the remainder of my infantry
arrived by the railroad, though none or
my artillery had gotten up, arrangements
were made for attacking Hunter at day
light on the 10th; but, after midnight, 1t
was discovered that he was moving. and
at night 1t was observed that he was In
retreat, and pursuit commenced. me
enemy's rear was overtaken at Liberty,
twenty-five miles from Lynchburg. just
before night, and driven through that
place. after a brisk skirmish. The days
march on the old turnpike. which was
very rough. had been terrible
The pursuit was resumed carly oii tho
morning of the 10th. and the enemy was
pursued into the mountains at Bufords
Gap, but he had taken possession OF the
crest of the Blue Ridge. and put bat
teries in position commanding gorge
through which the road passes. On the
21st the pursuit was resumed very short
ly after sunrise, but as the enemy mad
got into the mountains, where nothing
useful could be accomplished by pursuit.
did not deem 1t proper to continue 1t
farther. A great part of my command
had had nothing to eat for the last two
days, except a little bacon which was OBJ
tanned at Liberty. 1t had marched sixty
miles in the three days pursuit, over
very rough roads. l determined. there
fore, to rest on the 22d. so TO enable
the wagons and artillery to get up. and
prepare the men for the long march be-
fore them.
At Lynchburg 1 had received a telegram
from Gen. Lee, directing me. after dis
posing of Hunter. either to return to his
army or to carry out the original plan,
as l might deem most expedient. After
the pursuit had ceased l received an
other dispatch from him. submitting it to
my Judgment whether the condition of my
troops would permit the expedition across
the Potomac to be carried out and / de-
termined to take the responsibility OF
continuing It,
On June p the march was resumed and
We reached Buchanan that night. On the
18th l reached Stanton in advance Of
the troops. and the latter came up next
day. which was spent in reducing trans
portation and getting provisions from
Waynesboro. The official reports at this
place showed about 1000 mounted men
for duty IN the cavalry which was COM
posed of four small brigades, Imboden's,
McCausland' Jackson's and Johnson's.
The official reports of the infantry show
ed 10000 muskets for duty, including dis
mounted cavalry
Nearly half the troops were barefoot,
or nearly So and shoes were sent for
But without waiting for them the march
was resumed on the 18th, with five days
rauons in the wagons and two days in
haversacks. Imboden was sent through
the mountains on the west of the valley
to the South branch of the Potomac to
destroy the railroad bridge over that
stream. and all the bridges on the Balti-