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FIGHTING JACKSON AT KERNSTOWN.

ing to the front General Shields had sent an officer of his staff to me with ordersdirecting me “to move the residuepf my brigade with one battery to a point onthe Strasburg turnpike, two miles south of the city, with the least practicabledelay.” Complying at once my command was moved rapidly forward, andwithin an hour reached the point indicated. Here I met the general, who wasbeing conveyed to his quarters in the city, having been severely wounded in therecent engagement. After giving me information as to the fight and the posi-tion of the forces, he directed me to take command. Our line of infantry andartillery was advanced in front of the toll-gate and in position to the rightand left of the turnpike, with cavalry upon the diverging roads and flanks.No further movement on the part of the enemy took place, and night closingin, too dark for an advance, my troops bivouacked in line to await the devel-opments of the coming Sabbath. During the night General Shields sent meinstructions directing me to move forward at the earliest light with my bri-gade and battery, with one squadron of cavalry, along the turnpike, and driveor capture the enemy, as the force in my front was nothing more than anobservation force of Ashby’s cavalry.

At daylight, on the 23d, my command was moving; so was the enemy’s.Advancing with infantry from the hills in my front, he opened upon my linea heavy fire of musketry and artillery, which was promptly returned, and soonour forces were engaged in severe conflict. The enemy halting, I ordered myline forward, giving and receiving heavy volleys, the dash of our men com-pelling the enemy to give way. With loud cheers my soldiers pushed forward,and before 8 a. m. we had the pleasure of taking possession of the positionswhich the enemy had held on the high ridge overlooking the village below,his forces now retreating to their supports in the woods beyond. This engage-ment, though of short duration, was the beginning of the battle at Kernstown.

Seeing that the force I had thus far opposed to me had been greatly reen-forced, I halted for rest, observation, and further developments on the part of' the enemy. Having informed the commanding general of the result of themorning’s work, I awaited further orders, which were soon received throughMajor Armstrong with directions to move forward at once. Colonel Sullivan,with his brigade, was within supporting distance, and the force in my front,the general thought, was not strong enough to resist me. But the enemy hadby this time become active and was forming his lines, his force greatlyincreased by infantry. Calling Major Armstrong’s attention to the move-ments, strength, and position already presented to view, I requested him toreturn to the general and request him to send me reenforcements. I wassatisfied that not only was the force of Ashby present, but the entire armyof Stonewall Jackson , with that general in command, in person. The positionI held was good for defense, and I determined to' hold it. Sullivan comingforward with his brigade and one battery, I placed them in position on a con-tinuation of the ridge on the left of the turnpike and of my brigade, thusextending our line in that direction.

The enemy had been active, and now relieved me from the execution of themovement directed by the general, by undertaking a like movement against