44

The reports spread by these men and others who had run away from the
fight created a feeling of intense excitement in Baltimore, of which the rowdy
element took advantage, and hundreds of the best citizens who were known to be
in sympathy with the cause of the South were brutally assaulted upon the streets.

The comparatively small loss inflicted upon the command of Colonel Kenly
is sufficient evidence that the Confederates were not fighting under a black flag.
The black flag that these frightened officers saw was nothing more than the
battle-flag which had been adopted owing to the fact that the similarity between
the Confederate flag and the Stars and Stripes had upon several occasions
brought Southern regiments into conflict, resulting in serious loss of life.

The following extract is taken from the columns of the Baltimore Sun of
June 6, 1862 :

Colonel John R. Kcnly, of the First Maryland Regiment, in company with Surgeon
Mitchell, who were captured at Front Royal, arrived in this city yesterday morning from
Frederick. .... Colonel Kenly said it was needless to recount anything in regard to
the fight, save and except to peremptorily deny that any brutality was shown by the
Confederates toward himself or his wounded men. He speaks in the highest terms of the
manner in which he was cared lor after being taken prisoner. The story of his having been
shot in an ambulance and his wounded men butchered upon the field, and other like horrible
stories, are base fabrications. Colonel Kenly says many officers of the First Maryland
Confederate Regiment visited him. The actions and treatment of these officers were
particularly kind.

On the morning of May 24 the army moved forward, the greater portion under
Jackson going in the direction of Middletown to intercept Banks, who it was
believed would fall hack from Strashurg to Winchester. General Ewell, with
Trimble's Brigade, the First Maryland and Brockenbrough's Baltimore Light,
had instructions to move toward Winchester. Brigadier-General George H.
Steuart, who had been detached from the Maryland Line and placed in temporary
command of he Second and Sixth Virginia Cavalry, was dispatched to Newtown.
General Steuart was quite successful in this expedition, capturing many prisoners
and wagons, and advising General Jackson of movements which indicated that
Banks was preparing to leave Strasburg. But Jackson reached Middletown too
late, for the main body had passed that point.

In the meantime General Ewell. with his command, augmented by the
arrival of the two regiments under General G. H. Steuart, was advancing to
Winchester by the turnpike from Front Royal, and had occupied a position
about three miles from the town as early as 10 o'clock at night. Heavy firing
on Ewell's left during the afternoon and until late in the night indicated that
Jackson was steadily advancing upon Winchester from Middletown.