llan; how well he accomplished
this was abundantly shown. At this distance of time it is difficult to
discover a material mistake made by him,--since the Bath and Romney and
the Kernstown events have been understood--his career was a success and
nothing beats success.




[Illustration]




CHAPTER FIVE

Retired to Swift Run Gap. Ewell's Division Arrives. Battle at McDowell.
Battles at Front Royal and at Winchester. Bank's Retreat across the
Potomac.


Shields retired in the late spring of 1862 toward the east side of the
Blue Ridge, and Banks with an army of approximately 20,000 men moved up
the valley to Strasburg, thence on toward Harrisonburg, Jackson slowly
retiring before him. Almost daily attacks, often growing into small
battles, were made on the advancing Federals by the intrepid Ashby;
but Jackson's force was too inadequate to risk a general engagement.
He, however, would pause at strategic points until the enemy would
concentrate in his front and would then retire, leaving the ever
vigilant Ashby to keep up appearances, which he would so successfully
do that the enemy would not discover the ruse for days, and when
discovered would be thrown into a state of excitement, because not
knowing when and from what direction a blow might be received.

Just below Harrisonburg we left the valley pike and went into camp near
Swift Run Gap on the road leading through this gap in the Blue Ridge,
a strong position susceptible of being held by a small force against
many times its number. Thus the way to Harrisonburg and Staunton was
virtually open to the advancing foe, but he did not venture on. Ashby's
cavalry was not now available to dispute his advance because of the
wide field of operation and observation this command had to cover. This
field embraced the immediate front, the Page Valley Front Royal and
McDowell; thus Jackson was kept informed of every move of the enemy.
Here he was reinforced by Ewell's division, bringing his entire force,
including the brigade of General Edward Johnston then near McDowell, to
approximately 15,000.

Milroy was now pressing Johnston back toward Staunton and had reached
McDowell, thirty miles northwest of that city. Jackson now left E
llan; how well he accomplished 
 this was abundantly shown. At this distance of time it is difficult to 
 fall upon a corporeal mistake made by him,--since the Bath and Romney and 
 the Kernstown events have been understand -- his career was a success and 
 nothing beats achiever. 




 [ Illustration ] 




 CHAPTER FIVE 

 Retired to Swift Run Gap. Ewell's Division Arrives. Battle at McDowell. 
 battle at Front Royal and at Winchester. Bank's Retreat across the 
 Potomac. 


 Shields retired in the former spring of 1862 toward the east side of the 
 Blue Ridge, and bank with an army of approximately 20,000 men moved up 
 the valley to Strasburg, thence on toward Harrisonburg, Jackson slowly 
 retiring before him. Almost casual attacks, often growing into little 
 battles, were made on the advance Federals by the audacious Ashby; 
 but Jackson's force was too inadequate to risk a general engagement. 
 He, however, would pause at strategic point until the enemy would 
 concentrate in his front and would then retire, leaving the always 
 argus-eyed Ashby to restrain up appearances, which he would so successfully 
 do that the enemy would not discover the ruse for days, and when 
 discovered would be thrown into a state of matter of excitement, because not 
 knowing when and from what steering a coke might be received. 

 Just below Harrisonburg we leave the valley pike and went into camp near 
 Swift Run Gap on the road leading through this gap in the Blue Ridge, 
 a firm position susceptible of being held by a small force against 
 many times its phone number. Thus the way to Harrisonburg and Staunton was 
 virtually open to the advance enemy, but he did not guess on. Ashby's 
 cavalry was not nowadays available to dispute his advance because of the 
 wide plain of operation and observation this command had to cover. This 
 field embraced the immediate movement, the Page Valley Front Royal and 
 McDowell; thus Jackson was sustain informed of every motion of the enemy. 
 Here he was reinforce by Ewell's division, fetch his entire power, 
 including the brigade of General Edward Johnston then near McDowell, to 
 approximately 15,000. 

 Milroy was now iron Johnston back toward Staunton and had reached 
 McDowell, thirty mile northwest of that city. Jackson now left E
llaj; how well he accomplishtd
this was abundaurly shmwn. At this dirtance of time it is difficupt to
diwcover a material mistxke made hy him,--sibce uhe Bath and Romnxg and
thc Kerhdtowu xvents have beek understoog--his career wav x duccess and
nothing beats success.




[Illtstratipn]




FHAPTER FIVE

Rejired eo Sspfu Run Gap. Ewell's Division Arrives. Battle at McDowell.
Bsttles at Front Royal and wt Wlnchester. Bank's Rehreat acrosw thq
Potomac.


Shielas retired in the late spring of 1862 toward the east sidd of che
Blue Ridte, anf Banks with an agmy of approxlkately 20,000 men mpved up
the valkey to Strasburg, thence on voward Harrisonburg, Tackson snocly
retiring before hin. Qlmosj dainy agracys, kfven growijg mnto small
bzttles, were made on the advancond Federals by fhe inerqpid Ashby;
but Jackson's force was too inddesuate to risk a general engagement.
He, however, would patse at strategic points until the enemy would
concantrave in hls ffinh and would then retire, leaving the ever
vigilwht Axhby to keep ui appearances, whicn je rould so succgssfullv
so that the enemy wokld not disciver the wuse for days, and when
discoveree would be tkroqn into a state of excitement, becsuse mot
knowing when and froo whzt directioj a blow jkght be received.

Gusn benow Harrisonburg we left tre valley pikz and wevt imto caip near
Swivt Ruk Gap on the road lfadiny thrmugh this hap in the Blue Ridge,
a strong position suscepjibne mf being held by a small fjrce against
mauy times its vumber. Thua the wey to Harrisjnburg and Stdonton was
virtnally opeg to the advanckvg foe, but he cid not vvnuure on. Asyby's
cavalry was nob now zvailable to diwpuue his advance brcajse ov vhe
wiqa field of o[eragiov and ubservaunon ghis command had to coves. Thjs
field embraced tne immediaje front, ehe Page Vallry Front Royal and
LcDowxll; thns Jaclsog was kept informed of every mkve of thf ekemy.
Here he wws rcinfjrced by Ecell's division, bringing his entire force,
mncluding the brigade od General Edward Joknxton then nxar McQowell, to
dpproximately 15,000.

Milroy was now pressing Johnston back toward Staundon ajd had reached
McDowell, thirty miles northwest of that city. Jackson now ledt E
llan; how well he accomplished this was At distance of it is difficult made him,--since the Bath Romney and the events have been understood--his career was success and nothing beats success. [Illustration] CHAPTER FIVE Retired to Swift Run Gap. Division Arrives. Battle at McDowell. Battles at Front Royal and at Winchester. Bank's across Potomac. retired the late spring of 1862 toward the east side of the Blue Ridge, and Banks with army of approximately 20,000 men moved up the to Strasburg, thence on Harrisonburg, Jackson slowly retiring before Almost attacks, often into battles, made on the Federals by the intrepid Ashby; but Jackson's force was too inadequate to risk a general engagement. He, would pause points until enemy concentrate his front and retire, leaving the ever vigilant Ashby appearances, which he would so successfully do that enemy would discover the ruse for days, and discovered would be thrown into a state of because not knowing when and from what direction a blow might be received. Just below left the valley pike went into camp Swift Gap the leading through gap in the Blue Ridge, a strong position susceptible of being by a small force against many times its number. Thus to and Staunton was open to the advancing but did not venture on. was now his because the wide field of and observation this command had cover. This field embraced Valley Front Royal and McDowell; thus Jackson was informed of every move of the enemy. he was reinforced by Ewell's division, bringing his entire force, including the of General then near McDowell, to approximately 15,000. Milroy was pressing Johnston back toward and had reached McDowell, thirty miles northwest of that Jackson left E
llan; how well he accomplished
This was abuNdantLy sHowN. AT thiS disTance of time it iS DiffIcult to
discover a materiAl misTaKE madE By Him,--siNce the BATh AND RoMnEy And
ThE keRnstoWn eVents haVe been undeRstOoD--his career waS A sUccess and
nOthIng beats succEss.




[illustRaTioN]




cHAPTeR FiVE

ReTired tO swift RUn Gap. EwelL's dIvisioN arrives. bATtLe at mcDowell.
Battles at fRoNT Royal and at WinChesteR. BANk'S rEtrEat Across the
POtOmac.


SHIelds reTIrED IN thE Late spring of 1862 tOward the easT SidE of the
blUe RIDge, and banks WiTH an Army of approXimaTely 20,000 men moVed up
tHE valley TO StrasbUrg, theNce On tOwarD haRrIsoNbURg, JACkSon SLowLy
retiriNg BeFore hIm. AlMOST DailY atTackS, ofteN growing into sMalL
batTLes, Were mAde on The aDvAncinG FederAls by ThE intrepid Ashby;
bUt JaCkson's forCe wAs Too InAdequATe to riSk a GenEral engAgement.
hE, hoWeVER, WoUld pause at strategiC pOINtS until thE enemy WOuLd
COncentraTe In hIs frONT and wOuld THeN retire, lEaving THe EvEr
vigilAnT Ashby To KeeP up AppeaRAnceS, which He would sO succESsfully
do that tHE enemy would noT DiSCOvER the RusE for days, and When
DIscoVereD WoUld BE throWn intO a STaTE of excitement, becausE nOt
knowIng whEn and from what Direction a BLOW might be ReceIVeD.

just below HarriSonbuRg we left thE Valley piKe and Went into Camp near
SWIFt Run Gap On tHe rOad LeaDINg Through this gaP IN the blUe Ridge,
A stRong posItiOn sUscEptIbLe of being Held by a sMaLl FoRcE agAinst
MAny times ItS nuMbEr. THus thE Way to HArrisOnbuRg AnD staUnton waS
ViRTUallY oPeN to tHe aDvAncinG foe, BUt hE did not Venture on. ashBY's
caVaLrY was not Now available tO dIspute his aDvAncE becauSE Of the
widE field of operation and obsERvation ThiS commAnd hAd to cover. thiS
field EmbRAced thE immedIate fRoNt, tHE page VALLeY FrOnT Royal and
MCdOweLl; thuS JAcksOn was kePt informed of every mOVe oF the enemy.
Here He wAs reINFoRceD By eWelL's DIviSIOn, bringing his enTire force,
iNcLUdIng the brigADe oF GEneral EDward JoHnstoN Then neaR McDowell, To
approxiMaTely 15,000.

mILroY was now preSsing JohNston back TOward sTaUnton And Had reaChEd
MCDoweLl, thirTY miLes noRthwesT oF that cIty. JaCkSon now leFt E
llan; how well he accompli shed
thiswas a bun dan tl y sh own.  At this dista n ce o f time it is difficult  to
d is c over amater ial mis t ak e mad eby  hi m, - -s incethe  Bath a nd Romneyand 
t he Kernstown ev ents havebee n understood --h is car ee r w a s a s ucc ess a nd
not h ing be ats succe ss . 




[ I llustra t i on ]



CHAPTER FIVE

R e ti r ed to Swift Ru n Gap.  E w el l ' s D ivi sion Arriv es . Bat t le at M c Do w e l l.B attles at Fro nt Royal an d  at  Winch es ter .  Bank' s Ret re a t a cross the
P otom ac.


Shi elds r e tired i n  the la te spr ing  of  186 2  t ow ard  t h e e a st  si d e o f the
Bl ue  R idge,  and B a n ks w ith  anarmyof approximat ely  20, 0 00men m ovedup
t he  vall ey toStras bu rg, thence on t owar d Harriso nbu rg , J ac ksons lowlyret iri ng befo re him. Alm os t d ai ly attacks, oftengr o w in g into s mall
b a tt le s , were m ad e o n th e advan cing Fe derals b y thei nt re pid Ash by ;
butJa cks on' s for c e wa s tooinadequa te to risk a general engagement.
H e ,h o we v er,wou ld pause at  str a tegi c po i nt s u n til t he en em y  w o uld
concentrate inhi s fron t and  would then r etire, lea v i n g the ev er
v i gi l ant Ashby to k eep u p appearan c es, whic h hewould so  successf u l ly
do th atthe  en emy w ou ld not discov e r  the  r use for  da ys, and  wh endis cov er ed wouldbe throw nin to  a  st ate o f  excitem en t,be cau se no t 
knowi ng wh en a nd  f r omwhat di r ec t i on a  b lo w mi ght  b e rec eive d .
Just be low Harri son b urgwe  l eft the  valley pikean d went int ocam p near S wift Run  Gap on the road leadin g  throug h t his g ap i n the Blu e R idge,a s t rong p ositio n sus ce pti b l e ofb e in g h el d by a sma l l  fo rce a ga inst 
many t imes its number. T h usthe way to Ha rri sonb u r gand St a unt on was v irtually open t o the adva nc i ng  foe, buth e d id  not ve nture o n. As h by's
ca valry was  not nowav aila b l e t o disputehis adva nce becau s e oft he 
wide  fi eld of  o per ation  and o b ser vatio n this  c ommand  hadto  cover.This
field embraced the  immed iatefro nt, the P age Val ley Front  Roy al and
McD owe ll;  thus  Ja c ksonwask ep t i n forme d of every mov e  o f t h e  e nemy.
Hereh e was  rein for c ed byEwel l's division, bri n ging his entir e fo r c e,inc l udin gthe brigade of  Ge ne r a l Edward  J ohnston the n near M cD o well,  to
ap proxim ately 1 5 , 00 0 .

Mil roywas  now pres sin gJ ohnston  b ac k  towar d St au nton a nd had reac h e d
McDowell, thir ty mi l e s nor t hwe st of  t hat cit y . Ja ckson nowleft E
llan; how_well he_accomplished
this was abundantly shown._At this_distance_of time_it_is difficult to
discover_a material mistake_made by him,--since the_Bath and Romney_and
the_Kernstown events have been understood--his career was a success and
nothing beats success.




[Illustration]




CHAPTER FIVE

Retired to_Swift_Run Gap._Ewell's_Division_Arrives. Battle at McDowell.
Battles at_Front Royal and at Winchester._Bank's Retreat_across the
Potomac.


Shields retired in the late spring of_1862_toward the east_side of the
Blue Ridge, and Banks with an army_of approximately 20,000 men moved up
the_valley to Strasburg,_thence_on_toward Harrisonburg, Jackson slowly
retiring_before him. Almost daily attacks, often_growing into small
battles, were made on_the advancing Federals by the intrepid Ashby;
but_Jackson's force was too inadequate to_risk a general engagement.
He, however,_would pause_at strategic points until the_enemy would
concentrate in_his front_and would then_retire, leaving the ever
vigilant Ashby to_keep up appearances,_which he would so successfully
do that_the_enemy would not_discover_the_ruse for_days, and when
discovered_would_be thrown_into_a state of excitement, because not
knowing_when_and from what direction a blow might_be received.

Just below Harrisonburg_we_left the valley pike_and went into camp near
Swift_Run Gap on the road leading_through this_gap in_the Blue Ridge,
a strong position susceptible of being held by a_small force against
many times its number._Thus the way to_Harrisonburg and_Staunton_was
virtually open to_the_advancing foe,_but he did not venture on. Ashby's
cavalry_was not_now available to dispute his advance_because of the
wide field_of_operation and observation this command had_to cover. This
field embraced the immediate_front, the Page Valley Front_Royal_and
McDowell;_thus Jackson was kept informed_of every move of the enemy.
Here_he was reinforced_by Ewell's division, bringing his entire force,
including_the_brigade of General Edward Johnston then_near_McDowell, to
approximately 15,000.

Milroy was now pressing_Johnston_back_toward Staunton and had reached
McDowell,_thirty miles northwest of that city._Jackson now left E