1862 with Stonewall Jackson in the Valley Campaign U.S

1862_With Stonewall Jackson in the Valley Campaign U.S. History Resources

1862 With Stonewall Jackson in the Valley Campaign

In the late spring of 1862, with George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac threatening Richmond, General Thomas ("Stonewall") Jackson conducted a brilliant diversionary campaign to the west, in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

One of the officers who served with Jackson in what became known as the Valley Campaign was General Richard Taylor, who later wrote the following account of one of the early engagements, including superb descriptions of the legendary Jackson in camp and in battle. The action described here was short and limited, but it was typical of the kind of quick movement Jackson had to sustain in order to keep his advance up the valley moving and force the Union to divert forces away from Richmond for the defense of Washington.

Approaching [Jackson], I saluted and de- came in sight of Front Royal, but the enemy clared my name and rank, then waited for a had taken the alarm, and his men were reply. Before this came, I had time to see a scurrying over the bridge to their camp, pair of cavalry boots covering feet of gigan- where troops could be seen forming... tic size, a mangy cap with visor drawn low, a heavy, dark beard, and weary eyes—eyes I Two bridges spanned the river—a wagon afterward saw filled with an intense but bridge above, a railway some yards lower.... never brilliant light. The enemy's guns opened and, having the range, inflicted some loss of my line. We Quite late that night, General Jackson came had no guns up to reply... Motionless as a to my campfire, where he stayed some statue, Jackson sat on his horse some few hours. He said we would move at dawn, yards away, and seemed lost in thought.... asked a few questions about the marching of Thereupon the enemy fired combustibles my men, which seemed to have impressed previously placed near the center of the him. If silence be golden, he was a wagon bridge. The loss of this structure "bonanza." He sucked lemons, ate hard-tack, would have seriously delayed us, as the rail- and drank water, and praying and fighting road bridge was not floored, and I looked at seemed to be his idea of "the whole duty of Jackson.... He nodded, and my command man." He was an ungraceful horseman, rushed at the bridge. Concealed by the dour mounted on a sorry chestnut with a of smoke, the suddenness of the movement shambling gait, his huge feet with outturned saved us from much loss; but it was rather a toes thrust into his stirrups, and such part of near thing. My horse and clothing were his countenance as the low visor of his scorched, and many men burned their hands shocking, mangy cap failed to conceal severely while throwing brands [torches] wearing a wooden look... into the river. We were soon over, and the enemy in full flight, with loss of camp, guns Off the next morning, my command still in and prisoners. Just as I emerged from the the advance, and Jackson riding with me.... I flames and smoke, Jackson was by my side. hurried forward at the double, hoping to How he got there was a mystery, as the surprise the enemy's idlers in the town bridge was thronged with my men going at [Front Royal], or swarm over the wooden full speed; but smoke and fire had decidedly bridge [across the Shenandoah River, lead- freshened up his costume.... Late in the night ing into the main Union camp on the north Jackson came out of the darkness and seated bank] with them and secure it... We speedily himself by my campfire....

1 1862_With Stonewall Jackson in the Valley Campaign U.S. History Resources

For hours he sat silent and motionless, with eyes fixed on the fire. I took up the idea that he was inwardly praying, and he remained throughout the night.

QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think Taylor calls the light in Jackson's eyes "intense but never brilliant"? 2. What in the military situation made it essential for Jackson to get across the Shenandoah as quickly as possible and continue his advance?

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