Today in History:

426 Series I Volume XII-I Serial 15 - Second Manassas Part I

Page 426 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. Chapter XXIV.

APRIL 16-17, 1862. - Skirmish at Columbia Furnace; occupation of Mount Jackson and New Market, and skirmish at Rude's Hill, Va.

REPORTS, ETC.*


Numbers 1. - Major General Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army.


Numbers 2. - Abstract from "Record of Events" in Cavalry Brigade, Department of the Shenandoah.


Numbers 1. Reports of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army.

WOODSTOCK, April 16, 1862 - 7 p. m.

An entire company, more than 60 men and horses, Ashby's cavalry, were captured this morning at Columbia Furnace, about 7 miles from Mount Jackson, by our cavalry and infantry. The capture includes all the officers but the captain. They will be sent to Baltimore tomorrow.

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

MOUNT JACKSON, April 17, 1862.

Our troops occupied Mount Jackson at 7 o'clock this morning, and are now in front of Rude's Hill, where the enemy appears to be in force. The people report that they intend battle there. They resisted our advance in order to gain time for the burning of bridges and railways, cars, engines, & c., that had accumulated at the terminus of the road; but our movement was so sudden, and the retreat of the rebels so precipitate, that we were enabled to save the bridges, two locomotives, and some cars. All these had been prepared with combustible material for instant conflagration. Many prisoners have been taken, and several fine horses captured from the enemy. The troops have acted admirably. They were in motion at 1 o'clock a. m. colonel Carroll's brigade, of Shields' division, led the advance on the Back road to the rear of Mount Jackson, and General Kimball on the turnpike; General Williams, with his fine division, bringing up the reserve column. We shall occupy New Market to-night. General Shields has so far recovered as to command his division in person.

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.


HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SHENANDOAH,
April 17, 1862.

Our troops occupy New Market to-night. There has been some artillery skirmishing, but no loss on our side. We have many prisoners.

N. P. BANKS,

Major-General, Commanding.

Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

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* See also Jackson to Ewell, April 17, in "Correspondence, etc.," Part III, p. 853.

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Page 426 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. Chapter XXIV.