This is the dispatch which Jackson sent to Richmond:
“Near Port Republic, June 9th, 1862.
Through God’s blessing, the enemy near Port Republic was this day routed, with the loss of six pieces of his artillery.
T. J. JACKSON, Major-General, commanding.”
The Saturday following the battle was set apart by General Jackson as a day of thanksgiving and prayer, and the next day (Sunday) the Lord’s Supper was celebrated by the Christian soldiers from all the army. General Jackson was present at this service, and partook of the sacred feast in company with his men.
On the 16th of June, General Jackson ordered Colonel Munford to press down the pike, if possible, as far as New Market, and to make the enemy believe that his whole army was advancing. This Colonel Munford did, and the Federals, believing that Jackson was again on the march, retreated to Strasburg and began to fortify themselves.
In the meanwhile, June 17th, Jackson had begun a march, but not towards Strasburg. The mighty army of McClellan had advanced so close to Richmond that at night the reflection of its camp-fires could be seen from the city; and General Lee sent for Jackson to come to his aid as swiftly as possible.
Great care was taken to make the Federals believe that troops were being sent to Jackson, so that he could again go down the Valley, and attack Fremont and Shields at Strasburg. A division of men was sent as far as Staunton, and the report was spread that a large force was on the march to Jackson; but the truth was, that our hero was already on his way to Richmond, where the next blow was to be struck.
It was important to keep the Federals in ignorance of Jackson’s movement, so Colonel Munford was ordered to make a great show with his men along the turnpike, and to allow no news to be carried to the foe. The men were told to give this answer to all questions, “I do not know.” The historian Cooke tells us this amusing incident, which grew out of the above order: “One of Hood’s men left the ranks to go to a cherry-tree near by, when Jackson rode past and saw him. ‘Where are you going?’ asked the General. ‘I don’t know,’ replied the soldier. ‘To what command do you belong?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Well, what State are you from?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘What is the meaning of all this?’ asked Jackson. ‘Well,’ was the reply, ‘Old Stonewall and General Hood issued orders yesterday that we were not to know anything until after the next fight.’ Jackson laughed and rode on.”
On the 25th of June, the corps reached Ashland, near Richmond.
Jackson had gone on in advance to the headquarters of General Lee, where his post in the coming strife was assigned him.