The Washington herald., 1914-06-06
THE WAR DAY BY DAY
Fifty Years Ago.
Who Was Operating Under Orders Grant and
Was Living Counhy-A Prelude Devastation in the Valley
of Virginia
Copyright, ,el4.l


Fifty years ago today Staunton. in the
valley of Virginia, was occupied by
Federal force under Gen. David Hunter.
who, operating under orders from Gen.
Grant, was Living of the country"
The advance of the Federals up the
beautiful Shenandoah valley was pre-
nde to the program of devastation that
the Federals were to put into operation
there a few months later. under Gen.
Sheridan, who with fire and sword was
70 lay waste this garden of Virginia
The present object of the Federals was
aot alone destruction, but a rapid march
apon t1ynchburg. the most important
.ity in the interior OF Virginia Gen.
Grants plan of campaign called for the
cutting OF all lines of communication be-
ween Richmond and the interior.
On moving with the Army of the Po-
omac to confront Lee and force him
pack toward Richmond. Gen. Grant had
tent a force up the Shenandoah Valley
Inder Gen. Franz Sigel to cut Lee on
rom his connections with the valley.
Sigel had met defeat at the hands Of
Sen. John c. Breckenridge at New Mar
tet May Is, and had retreated behind
Cedar Creek near Winchester. Gen.
Lee had then called Breckenridge to re-
enforce his own army in front of Grant
Gen. Sigel was speedily relieved OF
command and Gen. Hunter. an expert
snced officer of the regular army, was
sent to the valley. Taking command on
May q of the troops that had served
under Sigel, Gen. Hunter had, prepared
them for a fast march
His command numbered about S,5Ot
men, about $500 being infantry, under
nd he
naming cavalry under Gen. Julius Sta
hel. The batteries numbered twenty-one
guns.
The generals orders were to push on,
II possible to Charlottesville and Lynch
burg and destroy the railroad and the
James River Canal beyond possibility OF
repair for weeks" and then to return
either to his own base or join Grant, via
Gordonsville-
stripped for Long March.
The expedition before Gen. Hunter was
pne calling for rapid and long marches,
In part through a country to which the
Federals had not yet penetrated. in She
ioveliest and most productive part of Vir-
Einia This was service appealing to Of
6cers and men.
Gen. Hunters orders in preparation for
the expedition indicated the character
Of the work ahead.
The soldiers were stripped of all sur
,lus equipment. Tents were left behind.
Only one wagon was allowed to a regi-
nent, and this was used only to trans
,ort SPARE ammunition, camp kettles.
pois, and mess pans. Department, divi-
don and brigade headquarters each had
me Wagon and one ambulance.
Each soldier was allowed one pair
ach of extra shoes and socks, and was
obliged to carry 100 rounds of ammuni-
ion, four pounds of hardtack, to last
light days, and ten rations of. coffee,
mgar and salt.
o be taken from the country, under the
direction Of officers. Receipts were to
,e given loyal owners. Pillaging by the
soldiers was forbidden.
On MAY 26 Gen. Hunter broke camp.
md his column filed out on the hard.
rhIte valley pike and took the route
outward. through Strasburg.
The soldiers We're delighted with the
freshness Of the country and the beauty
the scenery, and under their new
commander had hopes Of brilliant VIC
ories. Their was excitement in living
III the country, and foragins on we'll
tockedF farms.
But In the first twenty-fi miles of the
Dad there were many reminders of the
Federal discontinue at New Market, and
rhen that village was reached, on the
lecond day of the march, the debris Of
he battlefield was still upon the ground
md the hastily buried dead presented a
,hastly sight.
Many of the wounded Of the battle
we're stin in barns and outbuildings near
he field. Others were in the village.
icing cared for by charitable persons.
halt was made TO provide for their
emoyal TO the rear, and the column
sressed on up the valley pike to Har-
fsonburg, thriving town in the midst
Il lovely farming region. which was
cached June 2
Enemy Routed at Piedmont.
About 800 cavalry under Gen. J. D. Inn
ecden held this place, but fell back be-
tore the. advancing Eederals Here