312

FIGHTING JACKSON AT KERNSTOIVN.

relieved ours in front, and Bayard’s cavalry was sent to aid Fremont. Ourdivision returned to Front Royal and encamped two miles south on the roadto Luray.

By the wisdom (?) of Generals McDowell and Shields, our division was sentup the Luray valley, east of the south branch of the Shenandoah and Massa-nutten mountain, while Jackson’s army, pursued by Fremont, was movingup the valley, along the Staunton turnpike. Jackson had destroyed all

bridges and other means of crossing theShenandoah, from Front Royal to PortRepublic, rendering it impossible forShields’s division either to strike Jacksonor communicate with Fremont. Shields’sdivision reached Luray June 4th, afterhaving marched 1150 miles in forty-threedays, fighting one severe battle and manylesser engagements. Forty per cent, of thecommand were now without shoes, two percent, without trousers, and other clothingwas deficient. And now, without any sup-plies, officers and men were well-nigh wornout.

On the 5th, Carroll’s brigade, now par-tially supplied, moved with only 1200 menand 1 battery, by order of General Shields,for Port Republic, to secure and hold thebridge at that crossing, if it should notalready be destroyed. On the 6th, Tyler’s brigade of 2000 men and 1 batteryfollowed to support Carroll. Ferry ’s brigade was at Columbia crossing, 8miles south, and mine was 6 miles north of Luray. Fremont’s and Jackson’sguns were distinctly heard beyond the river and mountain, but we werepowerless to render assistance to our friends because of the impassable river.On the 7th, Fremont forced the enemy from Mount Jackson, and pursued himto New Market and Harrisonburg , but failed to bring him to battle.

On the 8th, Carroll reached the bridge at Port Republic with Tyler yetfifteen miles in rear. My brigade, under orders for Stanardsville, passedLuray and encamped with Ferry ’s, and on the 9th moved forward, leavingFerry in his position.

On the 8th, Fremont brought Jackson to bay, and engaged him in battle atCross Keys. % Jackson, being hard pressed, prepared to save his army byretreat. Sending one brigade, with artillery, to secure a crossing for his armyat Port Republic, he met Carroll, and, forcing him back, secured the bridge.That night, Jackson’s entire force fled from Fremont, crossed the bridge,burned it, and was free from the destruction that had threatened him.

Jackson, on the morning of the 9th, with his army, attacked the now uniteddetachments of Tyler and Carroll, and with his overwhelming force com-

Sec pp. 291-293 for details of the engagements at Port Republic and Cross Keys.

HT HI'/,

BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL NATHAN KIMBALL.FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.