Lorenzo Thomas to Nathaniel P. Banks, May 31, 1862

May 31, 1862.

[May 31, 1862. Sir: In pursuance of orders from the War Department, Col. John R. Kenly, commanding First Maryland Volunteers, was sent on the 16th day of May from Strasburg to Front Royal, with instructions to relieve the troops under Major Tyndale, attached to General Geary’s command, and to protect the town of Front Royal and the railway and bridges between that town and Strasburg. The force under his command consisted of his own regiment (775 available men), two companies from the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Parham commanding; the Pioneer Corps, Captain Mapes, engaged in reconstructing the bridges; a portion of the Fifth New York Cavalry, and a section of Knap’s battery, Lieutenant Atwell commanding. Nearer to the town of Strasburg were three companies of infantry, charged with the same duty. This force was intended as a guard for the protection of the town and railway against local guerrilla parties that infested that locality, and replaced two companies of infantry with cavalry and artillery, which had occupied the town for some weeks, under Major Tyndale, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the same purpose. It had never been contemplated as a defense against the combined forces of the enemy in the valley of Virginia.

Front Royal is in itself an indefensible position. Two mountain valleys debouch suddenly upon the town from the south, commanding it by almost inaccessible hills, and it is at the same time exposed to flank movements by other mountain valleys via Strasburg on the west and Chester Gap on the east.

The only practicable defense of this town would be by a force sufficiently strong to hold these mountain passes some miles in advance. Such forces were not at my disposal, and no such expectations were entertained from the slender command of Colonel Kenly. It was a guerrilla force, and not an organized and well-appointed army that he was prepared to meet.

On the 23d of May it was discovered that the whole force of the enemy was in movement down the valley of the Shenandoah, between the Massanutten Mountain and the Blue Ridge and in 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 railway 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 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 emergency.

About 1 o’clock p. m. the alarm was given that the enemy was advancing on the town in force. The infantry companies were drawn up in line of battle about one-half mile in the rear of the town. Five comCuar. XXIV.) OPERATIONS IN SHENANDOAH VALLEY. ja

panies were detailed to support the artillery, which was placed on the crest of a hill commanding a meadow of some extent, over which the enemy must pass to reach the bridges, one company guarding the regi mental camp nearer to the river, on the right of the line. The companies, three in number, left to guard the town were soon compelled to fall back upon the main force. There were then four companies on the right of the battery, near the camp, under Lieutenant-Colonel Dushane, and five companies on the left, under Colonel Kenly. The battery, Lieutenant Atwell commanding, opened fire upon the enemy, advancing from the hills on the right and left, well supported by the infantry, doing much damage. A detachment of the Fifth New York Cavalry was ordered to advance upon the road, which was attempted, but did not succeed. They held this position for an hour, when they were compelled to retreat across the river, which was done in good order, their camp and stores having been first destroyed.

On the opposite shore 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 2 miles when they were overtaken by the enemy’s cavalry, and a fearful fight ensued, which ended in the complete destruction of this command.

Colonel Kenly, in the front of his column, was wounded in this action. The train and one gun was captured. One gun was brought within 5 ‘niles of Winchester, and abandoned by Lieutenant Atwell only when his borses were broken down.

The enemy’s force is estimated at 8,000. 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 900 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.

It is impossible at this time to give detailed accounts of our losses. Reports from the officers of the regiment represent that but 8 commissioned officers and 120 men have reported. Of these officers 5 were in the engagement, 2 absent on detached service, and 1 on furlough.

All the regimental officers were captured. Colonel Kenly, who was represented to have been killed, is now understood to be a prisoner. He is severely wounded.

Lieutenant Atwell reports that of 38 men attached to his battery but 12 have reported. The cavalry was more fortunate, and suffered comparatively little loss. Undoubtedly large numbers of the command will yet return, but it is impossible to speculate upon the number.

I have the honor to ask attention to the reports of the remaining officers of the First Maryland Regiment, who participated in the engagement, giving their account of the same, and that of Lieutenant Atwell, , nding the battery. aaa ras af N. P. BANKS,

: Major General, Commanding, de

HE. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

JUNE 1, 1862—8.30 a. m. Major General BANKS, Williamsport: Brigadier-General Saxton, Harper’s Ferry: Are you in condition to harass the enemy, who will be hard pressed to-day by McDowell and Frémont ? EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

Wark DEPARTMENT, Washington, June 1, 1862. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Williamsport, Md.:

Jackson reported to be pressing as conscripts, to bear the arms abandoned by your command, all male inhabitants of the valley capable of bearing arms. Direct your quartermaster and ordnance officer to report immediately by telegraph, as nearly as they can, the number of guns, small-arms, accouterments, ammunition, clothing, horse equipments, and other supplies that you lost, that an estimate may be formed of the extent to which Jackson has the means of augmenting his forces, as he can obtain all the men he can arm and equip.

EDWIN M. STANTON Secretary of War.

WILLIAMSPORT, June 1. Not to exceed 1,000 stand of small-arms. Of the arms and equipments at Front Royal we have not been advised. Will send detailed

statement soon. N. P. BANKS. Hon. E. M. STANTON.

WASHINGTON, Jume 1, 1862. Major-General BANKS, Williamsport:

Major-General Sigel has been assigned to command of the troops at Harper’s Ferry, numbering about 10,000, and directed to report to you. That force has been added to your command, and it will receive further additions. Immediately on his arrival at Harper’s Ferry, for which place he will start this evening, the President desires you to assume actively the offensive against the retreating enemy without the loss of an hour. You will please communicate with General Sigel speedily as possible. You will of course see that Harper’s Ferry is left secure.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

WILLIAMSPORT, June 1, 1862—1 p. m. (Received 3.40 p. m.) Have heard nothing of Frémont. The enemy reported in full retreat from Harper’s Ferry. N. P. BANKS. Hon. E. M. STANTON.

WILLIAMSPORT, June 1, 1862—10,25 p. m. Our troops are in occupation of Martinsburg, but report no traces of the enemy. We have no news from Frémont. Dispatches from Harper’s Ferry state that Jackson retreated in the direction of Winchester. I shall move forward to Martinsburg as soon as possible. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON.

WILLIAMSPORT, June 1, 1862—10.30 p. m. Report from Martinsburg, 6 p. m., just received. Our troops have advanced on Oharlestown and Winchester pikes and pickets posted on all roads leading from Martinsburg, but no trace of enemy found. Cavalry has orders to push on and find enemy if possible. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON.

WILLIAMSPORT, June 2, 1862—6 a. m. Your dispatch received 3.30. General Sigel reported his arrival at Harper’s Ferry this morning. Have directed him to move troops forward toward Charlestown, and will join him this morning at Harper’s

Ferry. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

WILLIAMSPORT, June 2, 1862—10 p. m.

(Received June 3, 8.45 a. m.) Our advance troops are near Winchester and several regiments near Martinsburg. It is with great difficulty that they are got ready for marching orders. I hope to-morrow they will all be onthe move. Several officers captured at Winchester returned to-night. They represent

that the rebels evacuated the town Friday last. N. P. BANKS.

MARTINSBURG, June 3, 1862. General Sigel, with 6,000, and Orawford’s brigade, Williams’ division, 3,000, will be in Winchester to-morrow. There is feo d positive news of Jackson. Message received from McDowell at Front Royal says he believes Frémont is at Strasburg. The river is very high at Williamsort, and crossing is very slow. ie i a N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding.

Hon. E. M. STANTON. Seorctary of War.

MARTINSBURG, June 4, 1862—9 a. m. (Received 10.54 a. m.) The trains will run over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to-morrow night. The telegraph is open east and west to Cumberland. The river is very high, and my last brigade will cross very slowly. Still raining heavily. Damage to bridge is not great. N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding. Hon. BE. M. STANTON Secretary of War.

MARTINSBURG, June 4, 1862—9 a. m. (Received 11 a. m.) The best information I can get shows that Jackson left Winchester about 11 a. m. Friday, his train in front. He encountered Frémont’s advance near Cedar Creek, which he held in check on Saturday until his troops passed up the valley. His rear guard thén took a position upon a hill 2 miles beyond Strasburg, which he held Sunday and Monday. The cannonading there is described as terrific by the people. The last heard of him was that he was at New Market. His entire force is represented as near 40,000 by the people of Winchester. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

WINCHESTER, June 5, 1862. (Received June 6, 10.50 a. m.)

From report of an eye-witness to the retreat of Jackson, being at Strasburg, Jackson reached Strasburg Friday evening late. Frémont arrived within 5 miles of Strasburg some time unknown to Jackson, via Moorefield, Wardensville, and over the mountain by the Hardy grade. A rebel scout in that direction discovered him, showed themselves in two or three places, and then sent a young lad to Frémont’s force to say that Jackson was there with his artillery, infantry, &c. This delayed the advance some time. In the mean time Jackson fell back to near Rude’s Hill, 5 miles above Strasburg. Fighting began Sunday Ist, a.m., and continued Sunday and Monday all day, with very sharp musketry discharges. Many of our prisoners escaped at Mount Jackson. Fré- mont’s pursuit close and Jackson himself much excited. Tuesday morning Jackson at New Market; last at Harrisonburg. Secessionists say peer occupied Rude’s Hill and Jackson cut through. This is not

” N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WINCHESTER, June 5, 1862—11 a. m. (Received June 6, 11 a. m.) The river is yet impassable for men, horses, or wagons; but one brigade of Williams’ division is on this side. Supplies are short, but I have ordered the town to be thoroughly searched for stores secreted by Jackson’s army. General Sigel’s command cannot move for some days. It will be three days before the balance of troops can cross the river and reach this point. Still raining. Have not heard from bridge at Harper’s Ferry. Winchester Railroad disabled. N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

WINCHESTER, June 6, 1862,

Via Harper’s Ferry, June 7, 1862. River is falling, and our trains and troops will be over by to-morrow night. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad will be in operation by Monday; the Winchester road in two or three days at least. We can then

send supplies to Frémont. No news from the valley of importance.

N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, Washington, June 8, 1862.

Major-General BANKs, Oomdg. Dept. of the Shenandoah, Winchester, Va.: Send immediately to Front Royal a force to relieve the troops now there under General McDowell. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General.

Wak DEPARTMENT, ADJT. GEN.’S OFFICE, Washington, June 8, 1862.

GENERAL: [I inclose herewith for your information a manuscript copy of General Orders, No. 62.

Instructions have been given to Major-General Frémont to take position with his main force at or near Harrisonburg, to guard against any operations of the enemy down the valley of the Shenandoah.

The Secretary of War directs that you take position in force at or near Front Royal, on the right or left bank of the Shenandoah, with an advance on Luray or other points in supporting distance of General Frémont; also that you occupy with sufficient detachments the former positions of Brigadier-General Geary on the line of the Manas. sas Gap Railroad as far as the Manassas Junction.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Adjutant- General.

U. S. Volunteers, Winchester, Va.

{Inclosure.]

GENERAL ORDERS, Wak Dept., ADIT. GEN.’S OFFICE,

No. 62. } Washington, June 8, 1862.

I. The Department of the Mississippi is extended so as to include the