Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/341

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The following graphic account from an active participant in Jackson's valley campaign, was written by a gallant Confederate veteran who took it from his weekly notes "taken on the spot" at the time of the occurrence of the events therein described and is a valuable contribution to the future history of the War between the States, as well as of thrilling interest to our present readers.

The first of May, 1862, finds Stonewall Jackson's command in Swift Run Gap, about twenty miles south of Harrisonburg. We learn there on the third, march to Browns Gap, cross the Blue Ridge Mountain into Albemarle county, and reach Mechum River station on the evening of the fourth. We take the cars next day and go to Staunton same day. We leave there on the sixth, going to McDowells, where we fought the battle with Milroy, defeating him and driving him further into the mountains.

General Ewell with his division and two regiments cavalry occupy a position on the Rappahannock River, in Culpeper county; he moved his command to Swift Run Gap as soon as Jackson left there, thus preventing Banks, who had a large force in the neighborhood of Harrisonburg, from making an attack on Jackson's rear while his movement against Milroy was being carried out.

Jackson now has an open field in the upper valley and turns at once to it, and on reaching Harrisonburg on the 20th, he was joined by that magnificent brigade of Taylor's Louisianans, of Ewell's Division. The valley campaign is now fully launched.

Next day Jackson marched down the valley pike; when he reached New Market he took the road to the right, crossing the Massanutin Mountain into the Luray Valley, where we were joined by the remainder of Ewell's command. Jackson now