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Cu. XV.]

FREMONT AND THE MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT.

success. "There never were more thank ful hearts," says Banks, with true feeling, "in the same number of men, than when, at midday on the 26th of May, we stood on the opposite shore."

Our loss in killed, wounded, etc., was short of 1,000. All the guns were saved; the wagon train, nearly 500 in number, was almost all saved, and the greater part of the supplies were preserved.

The retreat of Banks, in face of the serious difficulties in his way, was held to evince talent of a high order, and he received the warm thanks of the government for what he had done. Jack son had made special efforts to capture Banks.* He did not indeed accomplish that; but the other and more important part of his scheme was entirely successful. As we have seen (see p. 165), McDowell, on the 24th of May, was ordered to march to the help of Banks, and of course to deprive McClellan of his expected aid on the eve of assaulting Richmond. He obeyed the order so positively given, and the authorities at Washington were startled and almost terrified at finding the rebels under Jackson once more on the banks of the Potomac.

The governors of the loyal states were urgently called upon for more troops, and in order to facilitate their transportation, the president, by author ity of Congress (p. 149), took military possession of all the railroads in the United States.

1862.

This

* Jackson, at Winchester, on the 28th of May, issued a general order characterized by his usual peculiarities, and lauding the troops which had "finally driven the boastful host which was ravishing our beautiful country into utter rout."

171

was on the 25th of May. The gover nors of the states responded promptly to the call of the president, and set to work at once to furnish the troops required.

It will be recollected, that President Lincoln, by his war order, March 11th, (p. 132), had created a new military de partment,* called the Mountain Department, and had placed Gen. Fremont in command. It included the entire range of Western Virginia and a part of Tennessee. Fremont, it was hoped and expect. ed, would be of material service, as occasion offered, in outflanking the rebels in Southern Virginia, in cutting off the Richmond communications, or in occupy. ing important points in Eastern Tennessee; but the raid of Jackson turned his energies in a different direction.

Two months were passed in preparing and organizing his corps, under serious difficulties, owing to the insufficient provision made for the new department. The first movement was in Highland County, where Milroy, at Monterey, had a sharp skirmish with a body of rebels who attacked his camp. A few days latter, April 23d, a party of our men from Romney, had a sharp encounter with a body of guerrillas; and on the 8th of May, a sharp fight occur red twelve miles beyond Monterey. After

* Mr. Swinton speaks with great but not undeserved

severity of the folly and violation of the first principles of war, in having, as was now the case in Northern Virginia, three distinct armies, planted on three seps

rate lines of operation, under three independent commanders. "One hardly wishes to inquire by whose crude and fatuitous inspiration these things were done; but such was the spectacle presented by the Union forces in Virginia; the main army already held in check on the Chickahominy, and these detached columns inviting destruction in detail."—" Army of the Potomac," p. 123.

a march of three days, they reached Franklin, having lost, in killed and wounded, 233. On the 20th of May, Col. Crook, in command at Lewisburg, made a successful dash through Covington to the Virginia Central Railroad, burning the bridge at Jackson River. He was attacked by Heath, with a large force, but routed him entirely.

It was on the night of May 24th, that Fremont received, at Franklin, the president's order to march to the relief of Banks, in the valley of the Shenandoah. His entire force, numbering 11,500 men, consisted of Blenker's division, the brigades of Schenck and Milroy, and a light brigade of Ohio and Virginia troops, under Col. Cluseret, a French officer in the service. Fremont's army at this time was by no means in a good condition to move. They were They were in a region cut off from proper supplies, and their morale was anything but en couraging. Fremont was unwilling, however, to lose a moment's time in the present emergency,* and the troops, promptly and cheerfully, took the road to Petersburg the next morning. Fur. nished only with ammunition and rations for three days, they pursued their way through Moorefield, by forced marches over mountain roads, rendered unusually difficult by the inclement season. In the course of a week the advance, under Col. Cluseret, came up, near Strasburg, with Jackson's forces, * Fremont has been criticised with some severity for not marching to Harrisonburg instead of taking the course he did. If he could have done so, which has

been pronounced by some as impossible, he might have got so far in Jackson's rear as effectually to have cut him off. The distance from Franklin to Harrisonburg was about 60 miles, while Strasburg was 100 miles distant.

already having begun their hasty retreat up the valley.

On Banks's retreat to the Potomac (p. 170), Gen. Saxton was put in command of the forces sent to Harper's Ferry to maintain that position. Sharp skir mishes occurred, but without advantage to the rebels. On the night of the 30th of May, Jackson ordered Ewell with his men to storm our position. The attempt was made about dark, and continued for an hour; and again about midnight; but to no purpose.

The next day, Jackson was in full retreat up the valley, which it was Fremont's design to intercept when he crossed the mountains at Strasburg. Ewell followed and joined Jackson, June 1st. Fremont came upon the enemy's rear the same day, near Strasburg, on burg, on the road to Winchester. Jackson declined all offers of battle; his policy was to avoid fighting; and so he pushed on through Strasburg, and succeeded in passing between McDowell's advance on the one side and Fremont's on the other. Thus the rebel general proved himself too active for his pursuers.

Fremont was joined at Strasburg by a body of cavalry, under Gen. Bayard, which formed a portion of McDowell's corps, and came very opportunely to his aid. Pursuing the rebels through Woodstock, Edenburg and Mount Jackson, they making every resistance possible, burning bridges, etc., Fremont crossed the Shenandoah, J ine 5th, on a pontoon bridge, and came up with them beyond New Market. A sharp encounter attended the arrival of our advance the next day at Harrisonburg, and

CH. XV.]

BATTLE OF PORT REPUBLIC.

173

the enemy were driven from the town. soon became general, and was fiercely During the afternoon, severe skirmish- contested for several hours. Without ing was kept up with varying fortune on going into details, we may mention both sides. After dark, the rebels con- that, along our whole line, the artillery tinued their retreat. Their loss was was served with great vigor and preciestimated to be very severe, and during sion, and the final driving of the rebels the evening many of them were killed back was largely due to its effect. by shells from a battery of Stahl's bri- Fremont's forces encamped that night gade. Ashby, of the rebel cavalry, who on the field of battle, with the expecta was especially serviceable to Jackson on tion of renewing the fight at any mothe present occasion, was among the ment. The night, however, passed killed.* without further conflict, and in the morning the march against the enemy was renewed, when they were found to be in full retreat for Port Republic, five miles distant, where the bridge is by which the south fork of the Shenandoah is crossed.

Very early on the morning of Sunday, June 8th, Fremont left Harrisonburg, with about 10,000 men, in pursuit of Jackson. Having advanced some seven miles on the road to Staunton, he found the enemy at Cross Keys, in a well selected position in the woods to the left and front. Jackson, it appears, had thought it best to fight at this point, and thus check Fremont's pursuit. An extended line of battle was formed, skirmishing having commenced about nine o'clock, and the whole line moved forward at noon. Schenck had command on the right, Stahl on the left, and Milroy in the centre. Blenker's and two other brig ades formed the reserve. The battle

* Pollard in speaking of Ashby can hardly find words of laudation strong enough for his purpose. He was the "young Paladin of the South;" on one occa sion he is said to have cut his single way through 300

Vermont men, repeated the operation, seized the flag and taken 75 prisoners with his own hand; "he combined the virtues of Sir Philip Sydney with the dash

of Murat;" his life "was a beautiful poem, a sounding

oration, a sufficient legacy to the virtue of his country

men."-"Second Year of the War," pp. 55-58.

According to rebel accounts only a part of Jackson's army was at this battle. Ewell with some 5,000 men

was left to check Fremont's advance, while Jackson with his main body purposed to march to Port Repub.

lic, cross the river, defeat Shields, and then rejoining Ewell to fight with Fremont,

The loss on both sides was severe. Fremont estimated his loss at 125 killed, and 500 wounded. The rebels give 300 as the number of their killed, wounded and missing, asserting at the same time, with singular untruthfulness, that "they (the Unionists), stated their loss to be 2,000."

Jackson's position was now somewhat critical. He must secure the bridge over the Shenandoah, nullify Fremont's further efforts by destroying all means of crossing the river, and then defeat and drive back Shields from Port Republic. Jackson's main body arrived opposite Port Republic on the night of Saturday, June 7th, and the next morning he ascertained that Shields's advance was rapidly approaching the town. Col. Carroll, with his brigade of about 1,600 men, soon after appeared, and his cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, dashed into the tow and took position at the southern

1862.

There was nothing left

entrance of the bridge.* Most unfortu- crossed the Shenandoah on Monday nately, Carroll did not, or could not, morning. Fremont, just too late, reach immediately set to work to destroy the ed the river during the afternoon of the bridge, and thus cut off Jackson's only same day, June 9th; the bridge was mode of escape. The astute rebel com- destroyed; and any attempt at further mander took steps at once to secure pursuit was useless.* The campaign this important bridge. He ordered a was ended. large force, on Sunday, June 8th, to now for Fremont but to retire, which charge directly upon Carroll's men he did almost immediately, to Mount holding the bridge; this was done, and Jackson, and subsequently to Middleour troops were driven back some two town. Gen. Shields also fell back to miles. Being reinforced by Tyler's New Market. brigade, making our force about 3,000 in all, a spirited stand was made, and the next morning the battle of Port Republic was fought, one of the most sanguinary of the war. The rebel troops largely outnumbered ours; they charged fiercely upon our men; after a terrible conflict and loss of life, they captured the chief battery; and they finally succeeded in compelling Tyler to retreat to the main body of Shields's division up the valley.

Fremont, meanwhile, followed Jack son and his retreating force. Ewell, having done his work, as above stated, viz., kept Fremont in check at Cross Keys, on Sunday, June 8th, rejoined Jackson, and the entire rebel army

* Esten Cooke tells a curious and marvellous story

It is rather mortifying to be compelled to confess it, yet it is evident that Jackson outgeneralled the distinguished Union commanders who were in pursuit of him, and obtained advantages for the rebel cause of incalculable value. "Without gaining a single tactical vic tory Jackson had yet achieved a great strategic victory, for by skilfully manoeuvring 15,000 men, he succeeded in neutralizing a force of 60,000. It is not perhaps too much to say that he saved Richmond." + Esten Cooke, speaking of the closing contest at Port Republic, says: "It was the final and decisive blow struck at the Federal campaign in the valley. It crushed, inexorably, in a few short hours, the hopes and aspirations of the two leaders who had so long and persistently fol lowed Jackson. It disembarrassed the confederate commander of his adversaries in that direction, and enabled him

in regard to the hero of his book. It appears, that when our cavalry and artillery had taken possession of the bridge over the Shenandoah, Jackson and his staff were on the south side, his army being on the north side. Jackson's audacity alone saved his being caught. Cooke says: "He rode toward the bridge, and rising in his stirrups, called sternly to the Federal officer * "Fremont appeared on the northern bank of the commanding the artillery placed to sweep it: Who Shenandoah, and is said to have been furious at the ordered you to post that gun there, sir? Bring it over manner in which he had been outwitted and Gen. here!'" Mr. Cooke goes on to say, that this remark- | Shields defeated. The bridge had been burned, and as able specimen of an officer actually bowed, limbered up the piece and prepared to move. Jackson and his staff seized the lucky moment, and dashed across the bridge before the gun could be brought to bear to any effect upon them.

·

the Shenandoah was greatly swollen, it was utterly impossible for Gen. Fremont to come to the assistance of his coadjutor."-Cooke's "Life of Jackson," p. 191. + Swinton's "Campaigns of the Army of the Poto mac," p. 128.

CH. XV.]

GENERAL MITCHEL'S MOVEMENTS.

175

to make his swift march against the Various changes at this time were right flank of Gen. McClellan on the made. On the 26th of June, Gen. Pope Chickahominy," (see p. 165). Fremont, was called to the command of the in an address to his troops, endeavored Army of Virginia, including Fremont's, to make the most of what had been Banks's, and McDowell's corps. Undone by them; but it was rather use- willing, for various reasons relating to less under the circumstances. Though military etiquette, and the like, to be they had punished the rebels severely placed in this subordinate position, on the road, yet they had missed catch- Fremont requested to be relieved from ing and making prisoners of Jackson his command, and his resignation was and his men.

accepted.

CHAPTER XVI.

1862.

MITCHEL IN TENNESSEE: EVACUATION OF CORINTH: FORT PILLOW, AND MEMPHIS.

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Halleck at Pittsburg Landing-Beauregard at Corinth- Mitchel's movements Starts southerly with 10,000 men to cut railroad communications of rebels - March towards Huntsville-Place taken by surpriseEffective strategy of Mitchel - Enemy's efforts against him — Bridge over the Tennessee at Decatur destroyed Affair at Bridgeport - Crossing of the Tennessee secured - Mitchel not reinforced - Effect - Halleck prepares to advance against Beauregard — State of the troops - Large army gathered Distinguished officers Advance of the army- Slow progress on account of roads, nature of the country, etc. -- Siege determined upon — Affair at Farmington - Progress of the siege — Corinth evacuated by Beauregard, May 29th- Halleck's dispatch - Colonel Elliott sent to Booneville -Success- False charge against himSherman's congratulatory address — Beauregard pursued by our men — Halleck's statement of Pope's doings -Beauregard resents it - Pope and Halleck leave the West-Cumberland Gap - Com. Foote sets out to attack Fort Pillow or Wright - Capt. Davis takes command - Rebel attack upon our flotilla - Result in our favor-Fort Pillow abandoned by rebels-Col. Ellet with his rams in advance - Arrives near Memp Naval battle on the 6th of June at Memphis - Lasted an hour or more - Rebels defeated- Memphis surrenders Position of affairs in Arkansas - Expedition up the White River - Batteries taken- Curtis's expedition to mouth of Arkansas River - Success - Troops at Helena― Curtis leaves the department.

TURNING our attention again to operations in the West and South, we resume the narrative at an interesting point. It will be recollected that early in April (see p. 146), the hotly contested battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing was fought, with important results, both to the cause of the Union, and the weakening the rebellion. Gen. Halleck,

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