48

HARPER'S FERRY, June 1, 1862.

The Honorable E. M. Stanton:

I have reliable information that on Thursday Jackson had ordered his army to storm
this place, but the shells from our batteries were so destructive that he drew back out of
their range and endeavored to draw us out to attack him.

R. SAXTON, Brigadier-General.

And all this fright and commotion was caused by Dick Knox, supported
by Bradley T. Johnson at the head of the First Maryland Infantry, and Frank A.
Bond, with Company A, First Maryland Cavalry. To think that a visit of these
gentlemen to Bolivar Heights should have stampeded Maulsby's Maryland
heroes and caused poor, unhappy Falstaff Saxton to call upon Stanton to not only
hurry up McDowell's army, but to send him that of Fremont's also! It is too
amusing!

That night the First Maryland Infantry went into camp about three miles
east of Charlestown. On the 31st the regiment was rear guard of the army, and
marched seven miles beyond Winchester. At daylight on the morning of June 1
Colonel Johnson aroused his tired men, and the weary march was resumed. Why
the occasion for this rapid retrograde movement? There was much discontent
manifested among the troops, for all had thought they had come into the valley
of Virginia to remain. But then they consoled themselves with the knowledge
that they were with Jackson, and what Jackson did must be in their interest.

Little did these brave men know of the powerful combination that was being
concentrated to insure their destruction, and nothing but the master hand of their
great leader and their legs and indomitable courage averted it.

Fremont was coming from Franklin with 25,000 men to intercept Jackson
somewhere near Strasburg, and this rapid marching meant that the Confederate
Army, with its long line of wagons filled with valuable stores captured from the
enemy, and the four thousand prisoners, should pass that point before Fremont
should reach it. Fremont was held in check by a force thrown in his front near
Strasburg, and Jackson's little army was safe for the time being.

But then Shields was marching a large force from McDowell's command
to intercept him near Port Republic, and Jackson was still in imminent danger
from an army in his rear of double his strength following him closely and one in
front nearly his equal in numbers.

The enemy's cavalry vigorously pursued, and encounters with the rear
guard under the glorious Ashby were of daily occurrence. At Ashby's request
Colonel Johnson, with the First Maryland, was detailed to support him, and was
consequently during the march from Strasburg well in the rear of the infantry
column.