Banks Iput my command under arms, March 20, 1862

CAPTAIN:

I have the honor to report that I took all the cavalry of the three squadrons present and one of the regiments (Colonel Miller’s) of my brigade and made a reconnaissance along the Manassas Gap Railroad. I proceeded carefully to Gainesville, a distance of 9 miles beyond Manassas Junction and 11 miles from this camp. We found that the enemy had burned up tents and other camp equipage at different points. At Gainesville the depot is burned. It contained some 300 or 400 bushels of oats. We had it from pretty good authority that the bridges at Thoroughfare and across the Shenandoah River had been burned. The pickets of the enemy are beyond New Baltimore, on the Warrenton turnpike, and no scouts have been at Gainesville for four days. I sent back Colonel Miller with one squadron to Manassas Junction directly by the railroad, and with the rest of the cavalry proceeded by the Warrenton turnpike to the vicinity of Bull Run, and thence by an easterly course back to this camp.

I feel assured from my scouting yesterday and to-day that there is no sign of the enemy having been north of the Manassas Gap Railroad for the last four days, and that General Jackson did not retreat by this railroad.

General Stuart passed through Gainesville on his retreat. His horses are said to be in bad condition. We found dead horses all along our route. I ought to have said that I know there are no pickets of the enemy within 3 miles of and beyond Gainesville. The roads are very muddy, and yet Colonel Miller, of the Highty-first Pennsylvania, has made a march of 22 miles with his regiment. The Farnsworth Cavalry always do well. It has been raining moderately the whole day. Wie

Very respec pig f O. O. HOWARD, Brigadier-General, Commanding Captain NORVELL, Assistant Adjutant-General Division.

MARCH 23, 1862.—Battle of Kernstown, Va.

1.—Brig. Gen. James Shields, U. 8S. Army, commanding division Fifth Army Corps, with congratulations:

. 2.—Surg. William S. King, U. S. Army, Medical Director Fifth Army Corps. . 3.—Return of Casualties in the Union forces.

. 4.—Maj. R. Morris Copeland, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army.

. 5.—Captain R. C. Shriber, U. 8. Army, Aide-de-Camp.

6.—Lieut. Willian W. Rowley, Twenty-eighth New York Infantry, Acting Signal Officer.

. 7.—Col. Thornton F. Brodhead, First Michigan Cavalry, Chief of Cavalry.

8.—Lieut. Col. Joseph T. Copeland, First Michigan Cavalry. 9.—Capt. John Keys, Pennsylvania Cavalry.

. 10.—Capt. Andrew J. Greenfield, Pennsylvania Cavalry. . 11.—Lieut. Col. Philip Daum, Chief of Artillery. . 12.—Col. Nathan Kimball, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, commanding First Brigade.”*

. 13.—Lieut. Col. William Harrow, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry.

. 14.—Col. Samuel S. Carroll, Eighth Ohio Infantry.

. 15.—Lieut. Col. Franklin Sawyer, Eighth Ohio Infantry.

. 16.—Lieut. Col. Alvin C. Voris, Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry.

. 17.—Col. Jeremiah C. Sullivan, Thirteenth Indiana Infantry, commanding Second

. 18.—Lieut. Col. Robert S. Foster, Thirteenth Indiana Infantry.

. 19.—Lieut. George H. Whitcamp, Acting Adjutant Fifth Ohio Infantry.

. 20.—Col. Erastus B. Tyler, Seventh Ohio Infantry, commanding Third Brigade.

. 21.—Col. William D. Lewis, jr., One hundred and tenth Pennsylvania Infantry. . 22.—Abstract from ” Record of Events” in Williams’ division, Fifth Army Corps. . 23.—Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, C. 8. Army, commanding the Valley District

with resolution of the Confederate Congress.

. 24.—Return of Casualties in the Confederate forces.

. 25.—Col. Turner Ashby, Seventh Virginia Cavalry.

. 26.—Maj. O. R. Funsten, Seventh Virginia Cavalry.

. 27,—Col. J. W. Allen, Second Virginia Infantry, First Brigade. . 28.—Capt. J. Q. A. Nadenbousch, Second Virginia Infantry.

. 29.—Col. Charles A. Ronald, Fourth Virginia Infantry.

. 30.—Col. William H. Harman, Fifth Virginia Infantry.

. 31.—Col. A. J. Grigsby, Twenty-seventh Virginia Infantry.

. 32.—Col. Arthur C. Cummings, Thirty-third Virginia Infantry. . 33.—Capt. William McLaughlin, Rockbridge (Va.) Artillery.

. 34.—Capt. James H. Waters, West Augusta (Va.) Artillery.

. 35.—Capt. Joseph Carpenter, Virginia Artillery. 36.—Col. Jesse S. Burks, Forty-second Virginia Infantry, commanding TI ird

Brigade. 37.—Col. John M. Patton, jr., Twenty-first Virginia Infantry. %8,—Lieut, Col. D. A. Langhorne, Forty-second Virginia Infantry. 39.—Capt. D. B. Bridgford, First Virginia Battalion.

40.—Col. Samuel V. Fulkerson, Thirtv-seventh Virginia Infantry, commanding Fourth Brigade.

41,—Lieut. Col. Alexander G. Taliaferro, Twenty-third Virginia Infantry.

* Colonel Kimball was the senior officer in command in the field—General Shie’ ds

having been wounded on the previous evening—and consequently reports the gene: al operations.

Reports of Brig. Gen. James Shields, U. 8. Army, commanding division Fifth Army Corps, with congratulations.

WINCHESTER, V. A., March 23, 1862. We have this day achieved a glorious victory over the combined forces of Jackson, Smith, and Longstreet. The battle was fought within dark. The enemy’s strength was about 15,000; the strength of our division not over 8,000. Our loss, killed and wounded, is not ascertained, but is heavy. The enemy’s loss is double that of ours. We have captured a large number of prisoners, some of their guns, and the ground is strewn with the arms they have thrown away in their flight. The cavalry is still in pursuit of the retreating enemy. The particulars cannot be accurately ascertained until daylight. ‘ JAS. SHIELDS, Brigadier-General, Commanding. S. WILLIAMS, Brigadier-General.

WINCHESTER, V. A., March 23, 1862.

The enemy, though severely handled, is still before us. His motions are watched. If he attempts to retreat before morning we will follow up his rear and pursue him to Strasburg. If he keeps his position till morning I expect to annihilate him. General Banks has ordered back one of Williams’ brigades, which ought to be here in three hours. I have ordered forward all the force stationed at Martinsburg, Harper’s Ferry, Berryville, and Charlestown. I have ordered in all outposts and guards which are on the route in my rear. All are on the march for this place, and will be here by early dawn to re-enforce me. With the whole of this force I will renew the attack as soon as we have sufficient light to point our guns, and feel confident the enemy cannot

escape. JAS. SHIELDS, Brigadier-General. S. WrLLiAMs, Brigadier-General.

WINCHESTER, V. A., March 25, 1862.

A dispatch arrived from General Banks, 5 miles below Strasburg, on the road to Mount Jackson. The enemy still on the retreat ; our forces in hot pursuit. Their loss must be enormous. They have filled their wagons with the dead and dying they have now abandoned. The houses along the route are found filled with wounded and dead. The houses in the town adjacent to the battle-field are also found filled with wounded. The inhabitants had aided their friends in carrying them off during the day. They are also burying them quickly as soon as they die. Our artillery makes terrible havoc amongst them in their flight. I will keep you advised of everything that takes place. I hope

information I am constantly communicating is received. JAS. SHIELDS,

General WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant. General.

WINCHESTER, March 25, 1862.

Please communicate the following to the general commanding the Army:

I oh prostrate from wounds, but hope in a few days to be able to ride in a buggy at the head of my command. General Banks is at Strasburg with my division and part of his own; the rest en route to join. He was not able to overtake the enemy. The retreat was a flight. He informs me he means to pursue to Mount Jackson. Rumor makes the re-enforcements now joining Jackson 30,000. He is said to be fortifying at Rude’s Hill, between Mount Jackson and New Market, at a point almost unapproachable from this side, and which communicates with the main body under Johnston by a good turnpike through Turet

Luray ?], Washington, Springville [Sperryville?], and Culpeper Courtouse.

Our prisoners speak with confidence of their strength in front of us and of their immense force on the march to avenge their defeat. I can hardly believe this, but I give it for what it is worth. I am compelled to expend too much of my force in protection to railroad and routes in my rear against guerrilla bands now infesting the country. My cavalry is not efficient in the field, and I mean to employ it principally for this purpose. I sorely need a body of efficient cavalry to feel the enemy in front. I dare not hazard mine in an enterprise of this kind. If the commanding general can give me any information about the exact position of the enemy it would aid us in calculating our movements. Our killed is about 150* ; the enemy’s 350. Our wounded between 300 and 400*; the enemy’s nearly 1,000. I feel distressed at his being able to carry off so many of his guns and baggage. His retreat has been ably conducted. Our men were too much exhausted from fatigue and want of food to convert it into a flight in time. Any information about. the enemy will be of great service tous. We are constructing telegraph line to Strasburg, and will keep you constantly advised of movements.

JAS. SHIELDS, Brigadier. General.

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, Seminary.

WINCHESTER, V. A., March 25, 1862.

Sir: Knowing your anxiety, I venture to give you a few particulars, without waiting to send it through superior officers. Jackson attacked my division, composed of between 7,000 and 8,000 men, close to Winchester, on the morning of the 23d. The prisoners differ as to the strength of his force; supposed to be absolutely 11,000—the flower of the Southern Army. The battle lasted untilnight. Iwas unable, from a wound received the evening before, to leave my bed, where I still lie, and had to direct operations in that condition. The fight between the infantry on both sides was terrible. The enemy disputed every inch of ground, and when they gave way did soin order. Notwithstanding the terrible havoc made in the ranks by the destructive fire of our Western men the slightest evidence of panic never appeared amongst them. No infantry ever behaved better than ours, with the exception of the two Pennsylvania regiments. At night the enemy fell back,

covered by darkness, and established themselves within about 4 miles of our position, which was an advantage of the battle-field. During the night I gave strict orders to watch his movements, with directions to attack him and pursue if he should attempt to retreat. I spent the whole night bringing forward all re-enforcements within my reach, stripping the different posts and routes on my rear of permanent guards. For this purpose I also sent orderlies after General Williams’ division, en route for Centreville, requesting him to halt, and to send back rear brigade to be in time to re-enforce in morning. General Banks, whom I believed in Washington, was still at Harper’s Ferry. He also sent prompt orders to the whole division to fall back to my support. At early dawn on morning of 24th these re-enforcements began to arrive here. General Banks arrived soon after. The attack upon the enemy had already commenced, he retreating in order and our command in vigorous pursuit. As I was utterly unable to leave my bed, General Banks put himself at the head of my division and pushed on in pursuit, forcing the enemy back to the other side of Strasburg last night. I pushed forward re-enforcements as they arrived. At this moment our forces are 5 miles the other side of Strasburg, on turnpike route to Mount Jackson, driving the enemy still before them, and General Banks informs me just now by express that he finds houses along the road filled with the dead and wounded of retreating foe, whom they had been compelled to abandon in their hasty flight. The loss on our side in killed and wounded is naturally great, say 150 killed and 300 wounded.* Most of wounded, I am sorry to say, are not likely to survive, the struggle being so close—most hand-to-hand. The wounds both sides are terribly fatal. The loss of the enemy it is impossible as yet to estimate, he having loaded all his wagons with the dead and dying in order to carry them off and the inhabitants of towns in the vicinity having taken them to their houses to afford shelter and relief tothem. Every house is swelling their loss. I can only, therefore, guess at it—say between 400 and 500 killed and about 1,000 wounded. This battle being a close fight of infantry, the wounded bear no proportion to killed.

My cavalry is very ineffective. If I had had one regiment of excellent cavalry, armed with carbines, I could have doubled the enemy’s loss.

Our prisoners are not very numerous, not exceeding 200. These were taken on the battle-field, together with two guns and five caissons. Other guns and prisoners are sure to be captured during the retreat. This is mere information, sent for your own private gratification, and not a report, which will be prepared and made soon as full details are ascertained. .

I wish I could have Captain Munther, able engineer, now in Washington, sent to me to superintend construction of bridges, &c. I would also beg permission to liberate two rebel prisoners on parole, not to leave our lines or to serve against us until exchanged. Their names are Lieutenant Junkin and Captain Morrison. I make this request for special reasons, which will benefit the service, and which I will communicate hereafter. JAS. SHIELDS, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

* Seo revised statement, p. 346.

WINCHESTER, V. A., March 26, 1862.

I hasten to make acorrection. Investigation this day has satisfied me that the Pennsylvania regiments behaved as bravely as any on the field. Through the eyes of others 1 was momentarily misled by misstatements. It affords me infinite gratification to be able to correct them, and to do full justice to a body of brave troops who have suffered dreadfully. You will please expunge that portion of my communication which makes them an exception, as I do in a copy I retain.

JAS. SHIELDS, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON Secretary of War.

WINCHESTER, V. A., March 26, 1862. Dispatch this moment from General Banks. He pursued the enemy as far as Woodstock. He thinks they are uniting Jackson’s and Longstreet’s forces at Luray and Washington, for operations on this side of mountains. Our advance has taken strong position 4 miles beyond Strasburg. Rest of my division occupies strong position near Strasburg. Two brigades (Williams’) are 2 miles from Strasburg toward Front Royal. Telegraph line will be completed to Strasburg, to-morrow. Can we get any information of General Rosecrans’ position or movements ? JAS. SHIELDS, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Brigadier-General WILLIAMS, Seminary.

WINCHESTER, V. A., March 27, 1862. Our victory at Winchester has been more fatal to the rebels than at first supposed. It has struck the Shenandoah Valley with terror. Union prisoners escaped from Mount Jackson prison just arrived. Saw eight wagons loaded with dead and wounded enter Mount Jackson on Monday, 10 p. m., 44 miles from the field of battle, in thirty hours. The rebels admitted they had 11,000 in the field; also that they lost between 1,000 and 1,500 in killed and wounded. We are finding their graves some distance from each side of the road. The blow has struck terror to this country. JAS. SHIELDS, Brigadier-General. Hon. E. M. STanton, Secretary of War. –

HEADQUARTERS SHIELDS’ Diviston, Winchester, Va., March 29, 1862. Sir: I have the honor to report that during my reconnaissance of the 18th and 19th instant in the direction of Mount Jackson I ascertained that the enemy under Jackson was strongly posted near that place, and in direct communicatiun with a force at Luray and another at Washington. It became important, therefore, to draw him from his position and supporting force, if possible. To endeavor to effect this I fell back to Winchester on the 20th, giving the movement all the appearance of a retreat. The last brigade of the First Division of Banks’ corps @armée, General Williams commanding, took its departure for Centreville, by way of Berryville, on the morning of the 22d, leaving only Shields’ division and the Michigan cavalry in Winchester.

Ashby’s cavalry, observing this movement from adistance, came tothe conclusion that Winchester was being evacuated, and signaled Jackson to that effect. We saw their signal-fires and divined their import. On the 22d, about 5 o’clock p. m., they attacked and drove in some of our pickets.

By order of General Banks I put my command under arms