ACTION AT FRONT ROYAL. 459 andoah, twelve miles from Strasburg. ency. About one o'clock P. M. the alarm Colonel John R. Kenly, of the 1st Mary- was given that the enemy was advancing land Volunteers, was in command at this on the town in force. The infantry complace with his own regiment, and several panies were drawn up in line of battle battalions of infantry and cavalry, with about one-half of a mile in the rear of a section of artillery, numbering in all the town. Five companies were detailabout a thousand effective men, a force ed to support the artillery, which was simply sufficient to hold in check the placed on the crest of a hill commanding guerrilla parties infesting the region. a meadow of some extent, over which Front Royal," says General Banks, the enemy must pass to reach the bridge "had never been contemplated as a de---one company guarding the regimental fence against the combined forces of the camp, nearer to the river, on the right enemy in the valley of Virginia. It is of the line. The companies, three in in itself an indefensible position. Two number, left to guard the town, were mountain valleys debouch suddenly upon soon compelled to fall back upon the the town from the south, commanding it main force. There were then four comby almost inaccessible hills; and it is at panies on the right of the battery near the same time exposed to flank move- the camp, under Lieutenant-Colonel Dunments by other mountain valleys, via shane, and five companies on the left Strasburg on the west and Chester Gap under Colonel Kenly. The battery, on the east. The only practicable de- Lieutenant Atwell commanding, opened fence of the town would be by a force fire upon the enemy advancing from the sufficiently strong to hold these mountain hills on the right and left, well supportpasses some miles in advance. Such ed by the infantry, doing much damage. forces were not at my disposal, and no A detachment of the 5th New York such expectations were entertained from Cavalry was ordered to advance upon the slender command of Colonel Kenly. the road, which was attempted, but did 'On the 23d of May, it was discover- not succeed. They held this position for ed that the whole force of the enemy was an hour, when they were compelled to in movement, down the valley of the retreat across the river, which was done Shenandoah, between the Massanutten in good order, their camps and stores Mountain and the Blue Ridge, and in having been first destroyed." close proximity to the town. Their cavalry had captured a considerable number of our pickets before the alarm was given. The little band which was charged with the protection of the railroad and bridges, found itself instantaneously compelled to choose between an immediate retreat or a contest with the enemy, against overwhelming numbers. Colonel Kenly was not the man to avoid a contest, at whatever odds. He immediately drew up his troops in the order he had contemplated in case of an attack of less importance. The disposition of his forces had been wisely made to resist a force equal to his own, and the best, perhaps, that could have been devised in his more pressing emerg On the opposite side their lines were again formed, and the battery, in position, opened its fire upon the enemy while fording the river. They were again ordered to move, left in front, on the Winchester road, and had proceeded about two miles when they were overtaken by the enemy's cavalry, and a fearful fight ensued, which ended in the complete destruction of the command. Colonel Kenly, at the head of his column, was wounded in this action. The train and one gun were captured. One gun was brought within five miles of Winchester, and abandoned by Lieutenant Atwell only when his horses were broken down. The enemy's force is estimated at eight thousand. The fighting was mostly done by the cavalry on the side of the rebels, with active support from the infantry and artillery. Our own force did not exceed nine hundred men. They held their ground manfully, yielding only to the irresistible power of overwhelming numbers. Prisoners captured since the affair represent that our troops fought with great valor, and that the losses of the enemy were large. A prisoner, captured near Martinsburg, who was in the Front Royal army, states that twenty-five men were killed in the charge on the Buckton station. Six companies of cavalry charged upon our troops at that place. The killed and wounded numbered forty odd. Among the killed were Captain Sheats and Captain Fletcher. The name of the prisoner is John Seyer. It is impossible at this time to give a detailed account of our losses. Reports from the officers of the regiment represent that but eight commissioned officers and one hundred and twenty-five men have reported. Of these officers, five were in the engagement, two absent on detached service, and one on furlough. All the regimental officers were captured. Colonel Kenly, who was represented to have been killed, is now understood to be held a prisoner. He is severely wounded. Lieutenant Atwell reports that of thirty-eight men attached to his battery, but twelve have reported. The cavalry were more fortunate, and suffered comparatively little loss."* Colonel Kenly was released on parol, and was enabled to return to Maryland, where he slowly recovered from his wounds. He was subsequently exchanged, and in September, 1862, was promoted to a brigadier generalship, when he was stationed with his command on the upper Potomac. On the first reception, at Strasburg, of the news of the attack upon Colonel Kenly, General Banks, thinking the re General Banks, to Secretary Stanton, Head-Quarters, Department of the Shenandoah, May 31, 1862. ports of the enemy's numbers exaggerated, sent reinforcements to assist him in maintaining his position, but presently learning, from reports and scouting parties sent out to explore the country, that the enemy were advancing in force, by rapid marches, upon Winchester, he recalled the troops which were on their way, and took measures for an immediate retreat from the valley. If Winchester were reoccupied by Jackson, supplies and reinforcements would be cut off, and the whole Union force be inevitably captured. Assuring himself on the instant that such was the object of the enemy, and that they were in overwhelming force for its accomplishment, General Banks promptly met the sudden and unlooked for emergency. "Three courses," says he in his official report of the retreat, "were open to us. First, a retreat across Little North Mountain to the Potomac river on the west; second, an attack upon the enemy's flank on the Front Royal road; third, a rapid movement direct upon Winchester, with a view to anticipate his occupation of the town by seizing it ourselves--thus placing my command in communication with its original base of operations, in the line of reinforcements by Harper's Ferry and Martinsburgh, and securing a safe retreat in case of disaster. To remain at Strasburgh was to be surrounded; to move over the mountains was to abandon our train at the outset, and to subject my command to flank attacks without possibility of succor; and to attack, the enemy being in such overwhelming force, could only result in certain destruction. It was therefore determined to enter the lists with the enemy in a race or a battle as he should choose-for the possession of Winchester, the key of the valley, and for us the position of safety. "At three o'clock, A. M., the 24th inst., the reinforcements-infantry, artillery, and cavalry-sent to Colonel Kenly, onel Donnelly's brigade, were ordered to were recalled; the advance guard, Col GENERAL BANKS' RETREAT. 461 tered the enemy in force at Middletown, about thirteen miles from Winchester. Three hundred troops had been seen in town, but it soon appeared that larger forces were in the rear. The brigade halted, and the 46th Pennsylvania, Colonel Knipe, was ordered to penetrate the woods on the right and dislodge the enemy's skirmishers. They were supported by a section of Cothran's New York battery. Five companies of the enemy's cavalry were discovered in an open field in the rear of the woods, and our artillery, masked at first by the infantry, opened fire upon them. They stood fire for a while, but at length retreated, pursued by our skirmishers. The 28th New York, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, was now brought up, and under a heavy fire of infantry and artillery, the enemy were driven back more than two miles from the pike. Colonel Donnelly, being informed at that point, by a citizen in great alarm, that 4,000 men were in the woods beyond, the men were anxious to continue the fight; but as this would have defeated our object by the loss of valuable time, with the exception of a small guard, they were ordered to re return to Strasburg, several hundred disabled men left in our charge by Shield's division were put upon the march, and our wagon train ordered forward to Winchester under escort of cavalry and infantry. General Hatch, with nearly our whole force of cavalry and six pieces of artillery, was charged with the protection of the rear of the column, and the destruction of army stores for which transportation was not provided, with instructions to remain in front of the town as long as possible, and hold the enemy in check, our expectations of attack being in that direction. All these orders were executed with incredible alacrity, and soon after nine o'clock the column was on the march, Colonel Donnelly in front, Colonel Gordon in the centre, and General Hatch in the rear. The column had passed Cedar creek, about three miles from Strasburg, with the exception of the rear guard, still in front of Strasburg, when information was received from the front that the enemy had attacked the train, and was in full possession of the road at Middletown. This report was confirmed by the return of fugitives, refugees, and wagons, which came tumbling to the rear in fear-sume the march. This affair occurred ful confusion. It being apparent now that our immediate danger was in front, the troops were ordered to the head of the column and the train to the rear; and in view of a possible necessity for our return to Strasburg, Captain James W. Abert, Topographical corps-who associated with him the Zouaves d'Afrique, Captain Collis-was ordered to prepare Cedar creek bridge for the flames, in order to prevent a pursuit in that direction by the enemy. In the execution of this order, Captain Abert and the Zouaves were cut off from the column, which they joined at Williamsport. They had at Strasburg a very sharp conflict with the enemy, in which his cavalry suffered severely. "The head of the reorganized column, Colonel Donnelly commanding, encoun under my own observation, and I have great pleasure in vouching for the admirable conduct of the officers and men. We lost one man, killed, and some wounded. This episode, with the change of front, occupied nearly an hour, but it saved our column. Had the enemy vigorously attacked our train while at the head of the column, it would have been thrown into such dire confusion as to have made a successful continuation of our march impossible. Pending this contest, Colonel Brodhead, of the 1st Mississippi cavalry, was ordered to advance, and, if possible, to cut his way through and occupy Winchester. It was the report of this energetic officer that gave us the first assurance that our coast was yet clear, and he was the first of our column to enter the town. mostly done by the cavalry on the side of the rebels, with active support from the infantry and artillery. Our own force did not exceed nine hundred men. They held their ground manfully, yielding only to the irresistible power of overwhelming numbers. Prisoners captured since the affair represent that our troops fought with great valor, and that the losses of the enemy were large. A prisoner, captured near Martinsburg, who was in the Front Royal army, states that twenty-five men were killed in the charge on the Buckton station. Six companies of cavalry charged upon our troops at that place. The killed and wounded numbered forty odd. Among the killed were Captain Sheats and Captain Fletcher. The name of the prisoner is John Seyer. It is impossible at this time to give a detailed account of our losses. Reports from the officers of the regiment represent that but eight commissioned officers and one hundred and twenty-five men have reported. Of these officers, five were in the engagement, two absent on detached service, and one on furlough. All the regimental officers were captured. Colonel Kenly, who was represented to have been killed, is now understood to be held a prisoner. He is severely wounded. Lieutenant Atwell reports that of thirty-eight men attached to his battery, but twelve have reported. The cavalry were more fortunate, and suffered comparatively little loss."** Colonel Kenly was released on parol, and was enabled to return to Maryland, where he slowly recovered from his wounds. He was subsequently exchanged, and in September, 1862, was promoted to a brigadier generalship, when he was stationed with his command on his command on the upper Potomac. On the first reception, at Strasburg, of the news of the attack upon Colonel Kenly, General Banks, thinking the re *General Banks, to Secretary Stanton, Head-Quarters, Department of the Shenandoah, May 31, 1862. ports of the enemy's numbers exaggerated, sent reinforcements to assist him in maintaining his position, but presently learning, from reports and scouting parties sent out to explore the country, that the enemy were advancing in force, by rapid marches, upon Winchester, he recalled the troops which were on their way, and took measures for an immediate retreat from the valley. If Winchester were reoccupied by Jackson, supplies and reinforcements would be cut off, and the whole Union force be inevitably captured. Assuring himself on the instant that such was the object of the enemy, and that they were in overwhelming force for its accomplishment, General Banks promptly met the sudden and unlooked for emergency. "Three courses," says he in his official report of the retreat, "were open to us. were open to us. First, a retreat across Little North Mountain to the Potomac river on the west; second, an attack upon the enemy's flank on the Front Royal road; third, a rapid movement direct upon Winchester, with a view to anticipate his occupation of the town by seizing it ourselves--thus placing my command in communication with its original base of operations, in the line of reinforcements by Harper's Ferry and Martinsburgh, and securing a safe retreat in case of disaster. To remain at Strasburgh was to be surrounded; to move over the mountains was to abandon our train at the outset, and to subject my command to flank attacks without possibility of succor; and to attack, the enemy being in such overwhelming force, could only result in certain destruction. It was therefore determined to enter the lists with the enemy in a race or a battle as he should choose for the possession of Winchester, the key of the valley, and for us the position of safety. "At three o'clock, A. M., the 24th inst., the reinforcements-infantry, artillery, and cavalry-sent to Colonel Kenly, onel Donnelly's brigade, were ordered to were recalled; the advance guard, Col GENERAL BANKS' RETREAT. return to Strasburg, several hundred disabled men left in our charge by Shield's division were put upon the march, and our wagon train ordered forward to Winchester under escort of cavalry and infantry. General Hatch, with nearly our whole force of cavalry and six pieces of artillery, was charged with the protection of the rear of the column, and the destruction of army stores for which transportation was not provided, with instructions to remain in front of the town as long as possible, and hold the enemy in check, our expectations of attack being in that direction. All these orders were executed with incredible alacrity, and soon after nine o'clock the column was on the march, Colonel Donnelly in front, Colonel Gordon in the centre, and General Hatch in the rear. The column had passed Cedar creek, about three miles from Strasburg, with the exception of the rear guard, still in front of Strasburg, when information was received from the front that the enemy had attacked the train, and was in full possession of the road at Middletown. This report was confirmed by the return of fugitives, refugees, and wagons, which came tumbling to the rear in fearful confusion. It being apparent now that our immediate danger was in front, the troops were ordered to the head of the column and the train to the rear; and in view of a possible necessity for our return to Strasburg, Captain James W. Abert, Topographical corps-who associated with him the Zouaves d'Afrique, Captain Collis-was ordered to prepare Cedar creek bridge for the flames, in order to prevent a pursuit in that direction by the enemy. In the execution of this order, Captain Abert and the Zouaves were cut off from the column, which they joined at Williamsport. They had at Strasburg a very sharp conflict with the enemy, in which his cavalry suffered severely. "The head of the reorganized column, Colonel Donnelly commanding, encoun 461 tered the enemy in force at Middletown, about thirteen miles from Winchester. Three hundred troops had been seen in town, but it soon appeared that larger forces were in the rear. The brigade halted, and the 46th Pennsylvania, Colonel Knipe, was ordered to penetrate the woods on the right and dislodge the enemy's skirmishers. They were supported by a section of Cothran's New York battery. Five companies of the enemy's cavalry were discovered in an open field in the rear of the woods, and our artillery, masked at first by the infantry, opened fire upon them. They stood fire for a while, but at length retreated, pursued by our skirmishers. The 28th New York, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, was now brought up, and under a heavy fire of infantry and artillery, the enemy were driven back more than two miles from the pike. Colonel Donnelly, being informed at that point, by a citizen in great alarm, that 4,000 men were in the woods beyond, the men were anxious to continue the fight; but as this would have defeated our object by the loss of valuable time, with the exception of a small guard, they were ordered to resume the march. This affair occurred under my own observation, and I have great pleasure in vouching for the admirable conduct of the officers and men. We lost one man, killed, and some wounded. This episode, with the change of front, occupied nearly an hour, but it saved our column. Had the enemy vigorously attacked our train while at the head of the column, it would have been thrown into such dire confusion as to have made a successful continuation of our march impossible. Pending this contest, Colonel Brodhead, of the 1st Mississippi cavalry, was ordered to advance, and, if possible, to cut his way through and occupy Winchester. It was the report of this energetic officer that gave us the first assurance that our coast was yet clear, and he was the first of our column to enter the town. |