The Washington herald., 1914-07-24

Fifty years ago today forces under Gen.
JubaI A Early, Confederate. and Gen.
George Crook. Federal. met IN battle at
Kernstown, near Winchester, in the
Shenandoah Valley. and the Federals
were driven in rout from the neld-
Scenes which had won for the great
valley turnpike the appellation the race
course Of armies were here re-enaeted
with striking vividness. The pace set by
Gen. n. p. Banks. and his army In their
retreat from Strasburg before stone
WALL jackson In the spring Of fe0. when
they covered thirty-ive miles between
morning and evening. was equaled oy
the Federals under Crook.
The defeat and retreat proved nothing
against the vslor Of the veterans In the
Federal ranks. who stood their ground
until attacked in flank and rear: but
1t Illustrated forcibly the irresistible "a
vance of the flame Of panic. once II be-
gins to spread.
The Federals were not outnumbtred-
Each commander had about 1000 "nen
for battle. The Federals had the nom
inal advantage Of supposing themselves
in pursuit of the Confederates. who had
retired up the valley after a retreat from
before Washington. They had the actual
advantage Of position. on the ridge across
the valley turnpike three miles south Of
Jackson had met one Of the few defeats
OF his career at the hands OF a superior
Federal force under Gen. James Shields,
on March u 1854
Nature marks out battlehelds so clearly
that succeeding commanders fight on
them while little variation OF position.
The Federals under Crook were posted
much the same as these under Shields.
The Confederates held positions cn the
same ground as that held by Jackson.
Struck I'm Flank and Rear.
Each general formed his line with
three infantry divisions, and each haa
cavalry on his tanks. Each endeavored
to turn the flank Of the other. On the
Federal left was posted Gen w. W.
AverelI's cavalry under orders from Gen.
Crook to make a dash around the Con-
federate right and fall upon Early's
wagon trains.
AvsreI advanced with spirit. but had
not ridden far when he found himself
confronted by infantry in a line so long
that it overlapped his left. and threat
ened to turn II.
The Federal cavalry turned OF to the
left. in open country. and the Confed-
crate infantry-which was led by Gen
John c. Observation-Disclosures rapidly
upon the now exposed Federal left flank.
until II reached a wooded ridge
The skirmishers Of the two battle lines
clashed about noon, and the confeder-
ates pressed on, along the whole Fed
eraI front At first they were beaten
Back, but as the battle progressed, Col
Rutherford 3. Hayes, commanding an
Ohio brigade in the division commanded
by Col Isaac II. Duval. noticed the
enemy on the left flank. He reported
this TO an aid Of Gen Crooks. but was
told to advance his command as Or
dered.
In a few minutes the enemy was seen
advancing in two lines Of battle. with
skirmishers out. against the left flank
and rear of the Federal line.
An effort was made to change front
to meet the attack. but before 1T could
be done the left was doubled back In
confusion. A new line was formed. in
the rear Of q stone wall, at right
ambles with the first. but the fire from
this only temporarily checked the enemy.
In a few minutes the whole Federal line
broke like a rope Of sand.
Flight Through Winchester.
The Initial misfortune was attributed