CHAPTER III.

The Battle of Winchester or Kernstown-Stonewall Jackson Whipped. At Kernstown, some four miles south of Winchester, Jackson's command, numbering fully fifteen thousand men, was massed, and on March 22d attacked the Union outposts. The citizens of Winchester, who, by the way, were about as thoroughly imbued with treason as at any point within the writer's knowledge in the whole of the chivalrous (?) South, were in high glee at the prospect of being rid of those odious Lincoln hirelings, and some were so sanguine of success to the Southern arms that they prepared elegant repasts for the victors. However that may be, the rebel horde did not enter Winchester at this time, except, perhaps, a few dead ones carried there for burial.

Soon after the firing began the First and Second brigades of General Shields' division were moved to the front, and a lively skirmish ensued resulting in the repulse of the enemy. General Shields was wounded quite severely during this brief engagement, and at night, when active hostilities ceased, he retired to Winchester. The dawn of Sunday, March 23d, was heralded by the rapid boom of artillery and the lively rattle of musketry, as the advance of the two armies resumed the skirmishing of the previous afternoon. This was continued during nearly the entire forenoon. About noon the long roll beat throughout our camp; quickly the men fell into line, and in columns of fours, under command of brave Colonel Buckley, marched rapidly, a portion of the dis

tance at a double quick, toward the point of attack. On reaching Winchester the regiment halted, came to a front, loaded their pieces, and remained until the artillery and trains had passed. We then moved on the road leading to Kernstown, some two or three miles, and again halted. After some vexatious delay the regiment again resumed the march and soon reached the scene of the action, which was about seven miles from Winchester. The enemy were under General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall). His right extending across the Pike leading to Strasburg, and his forces on his left masked behind a stone fence, while at the rear for a considerable distance the ground was a gradual ascent covered with stumps and wood which were well used as cover. The Twentyninth regiment and its brigade was moved to the extreme right of the line, and, formed in close column, by division, moved forward through the timber to the attack. At close range the rebels opened a heavy fire, but we continued to advance, halting at a small ravine where we deployed in line of battle, and in this position a sharp and determined engagement ensued. The distance between the opposing forces did not exceed sixteen rods. Late in the afternoon an order was given the Third brigade to charge the rebel line. Quick as thought the whole line sprang forward, and with cheers sounding above the roar of the conflict, in the teeth of a murderous fire, swept down over the stone wall and at the bayonet's point drove the enemy from their chosen position. To the rear they fled until reaching their artillery, where another stand was made and a rally attempted. The Union lead poured into their ranks with such deadly effect that they soon became panic-stricken, and in the greatest disorder retreated in whatever direction best offered an avenue of escape, and Stonewall Jackson, the

pride of the South and by many considered the bravest general in the rebel army, was whipped, and that, too, by a force much inferior in numbers, many of whom had never faced death before.

To make the victory still more sure our forces followed the disordered mass of fleeing rebels and captured many prisoners, until darkness closed over all, when our brave boys returned to rest upon their laurels upon the bloody field of carnage, bury the dead and care for the wounded. The result of this battle was a loss to the rebels of the Shenandoah valley, at that time of great importance to them, with casualties amounting to some five hundred men killed, wounded, and left on the field, and three hundred prisoners. The loss of the Twenty-ninth regiment in this action was: Five killed, seven wounded, two missing; aggregate fourteen. See casualties at the

close of the volume for names.

CHAPTER IV.

Pursuit of Jackson-The "Long" March-Fredericksburg to Front Royal-March to Waynesboro.

At early dawn on the morning of March 24th the Union army pushed forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels. The Twenty-ninth deployed as skirmishes in the advance. Many wounded Confederates were found in private houses along the line of march. About noon. the dashing rebel cavalry officer Ashby came from cover and suddenly swooped down upon the regiment with aheavy cavalry force. Rallying by companies and forming squares, a well directed volley soon sent the rebels in haste to the rear. The pursuit of the fleeing rebels was continued until nightfall, when the regiment went into bivouac near Cedar creek. The next morning (25th) our columns again pushed forward until reaching a point a little in advance of Strasburg, where a halt was ordered and a camp (Kimball,) established. Here we remained for some time, making frequent raids into the surrounding country and skirmishing almost daily with the enemy.

April 1st the regiment again moved after the retreating army, and about daylight on the following morning indulged in some artillery firing with the rebel rear guards. During the month of April the regiment marched up the valley as far as Newmarket, passing the towns of Woodstock and Mount Jackson. At the latter place a hospital was established, and companies G and E were detailed for provost, and other duties, in and

around Mount Jackson, while the remainder of the regiment moved up the valley to Camp Thurburn and continued the usual picket, camp, and guard duties.

May 3d left camp and marched up the valley in the direction of Harrisburg; halted about three miles from town and camped for the night. May 5th, returned from near the town of Harrisburg and went into camp four miles above Newmarket, where the regiment remained until the 12th day of May, when it left the Shenandoah valley at Newmarket on the long march to Fredericksburg, marched to Luray, and encamped for the night (marched eighteen miles). Thirteenth, moved at 7 A. M. The Twenty-ninth, was detailed as rear guard.. Fourteenth, marched at 6, reached Front Royal at 3:30, P. M. and camped for the night. Fifteenth, marched at 9 a. M., traveled thirteen miles, and went into camp. Sixteenth, marched at 6:30 A. M., reached Gains' Cross Road, and camped for the night, (marched ten miles). May 17th, marched at 6 A. M., and reached Warrenton (distance of eighteen miles), and went into camp for the night. Sunday, May 18th, remained in camp. Monday, 19th, marched at 5 o'clock A. M., and at 3 P. M.. reached the Orange & Alexandria railroad at Catlet's Station, and went into camp. Remained until May 21st, when the regiment again marched at 6 A. M., halting at 10:30 P. M. for the night. Twenty-second, marched at 7 A. M., reached Falmouth in the evening, and went into. camp. Friday, May 23d, the army under Major-general McDowell was reviewed by Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, with satisfactory results.. Sunday, 25th, marched at 6 A. M., and at 4:30 went into camp. Twenty-sixth, marched at 5 A. M., and camped for the night at Catlet's Station. Twenty-. seventh, marched some four miles on the Manassas Gap.