CHAPTER XVII. PORT REPUBLIC. JACKSON moved to attack the Federal column under General Shields about sunrise. The battle of Port Republic was fought on the eastern bank of the Shenandoah, about two miles from the town. The force driven out of the place on the preceding day was only the advance guard, under General Carroll. The main body of General Shields' army had now come up, and that commander had taken a position which gave him great advantages in the bloody conflict about to ensue. His right flank rested on the river, which here bends round in the shape of a crescent, and is edged with thickets along its margin, so dense as almost completely to prevent the advance of troops. From this strong point the Federal line of battle stretched away across an extensive field embraced in the bend of the stream, and at this time covered with a wheat crop which the sunny days of June had turned into waving gold. Their left wing rested on a wooded ridge near the Lewis house, and just at the foot of Cole Mountain; and at this point they had posted seven pieces of artillery, with others in the rear of the line, wherever the undulation of the ground afforded them an opportunity to employ artillery to advantage. Thus judiciously drawn up, with his flanks protected by a river and a thickly wooded ridge, General Shields awaited with confidence the expected attack of Jackson. That attack was not delayed. The Federal regiments were scarcely arranged in line of battle, with the Stars and Stripes waving proudly in the early sunshine, when they saw advancing toward them a long line of glittering bayonets beneath the Confederate flag, and the blue "Sic semper" banner of Virginia.* It was the Stonewall Brigade, under General Winder, * Letter of a soldier. CHAPTER XVII. PORT REPUBLIC. JACKSON moved to attack the Federal column under General Shields about sunrise. The battle of Port Republic was fought on the eastern bank of the Shenandoah, about two miles from the town. The force driven out of the place on the preceding day was only the advance guard, under General Carroll. The main body of General Shields' army had now come up, and that commander had taken a position which gave him great advantages in the bloody conflict about to ensue. His right flank rested on the river, which here bends round in the shape of a crescent, and is edged with thickets along its margin, so dense as almost completely to prevent the advance of troops. From this strong point the Federal line of battle stretched away across an extensive field embraced in the bend of the stream, and at this time covered with a wheat crop which the sunny days of June had turned into waving gold. Their left wing rested on a wooded ridge near the Lewis house, and just at the foot of Cole Mountain; and at this point they had posted seven pieces of artillery, with others in the rear of the line, wherever the undulation of the ground afforded them an opportunity to employ artillery to advantage. Thus judiciously drawn up, with his flanks protected by a river and a thickly wooded ridge, General Shields awaited with confidence the expected attack of Jackson. That attack was not delayed. The Federal regiments were scarcely arranged in line of battle, with the Stars and Stripes waving proudly in the early sunshine, when they saw advancing toward them a long line of glittering bayonets beneath the Confederate flag, and the blue "Sic semper" banner of Virginia.* It was the Stonewall Brigade, under General Winder, *Letter of a soldier. |