Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/48

 CHAPTER IV.

Pursuit of Jackson—The "Long" March—Fredericksburg to Front Royal—March to Waynesboro.

At early dawn on the morning of March 24th the Union army pushed forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels. The Twenty-ninth deployed as skirmishes in the advance. Many wounded Confederates were found in private houses along the line of march. About noon the dashing rebel cavalry officer Ashby came from cover and suddenly swooped down upon the regiment with aheavy cavalry force. Rallying by companies and forming squares, a well directed volley soon sent the rebels in haste to the rear. The pursuit of the fleeing rebels was continued until nightfall, when the regiment went into bivouac near Cedar creek. The next morning (25th) our columns again pushed forward until reaching a point a little in advance of Strasburg, where a halt was ordered and a camp (Kimball,) established. Here we remained for some time, making frequent raids into the surrounding country and skirmishing almost daily with the enemy.

April 1st the regiment again moved after the retreating army, and about daylight on the following morning indulged in some artillery firing with the rebel rear guards. During the month of April the regiment marched up the valley as far as Newmarket, passing the towns of Woodstock and Mount Jackson. At the latter place a hospital was established, and companies G and E were detailed for provost, and other duties, in and