The next business was to drive the enemy up the valley. The division reached Harrisonburg and vicinity on the 3d of May, having arrived at Edenburg, April 1, and at New Market, April 17.
After two days the troops fell back to Sparta, and formed in line of battle. As the enemy nowhere appeared, the privates supposed it was done for a General drill.
March to Fredericksburg.
An order from the War Department indicated that Shields' division must leave the Valley, to join McDowell's forces at Fredericksburg. A general inspection was held on the 10th of May, to ascertain who were not able to march a week. These were sent to Strasburg, among whom were Corporal Cochran and J. S. Kellogg. The sequel did not prove them to be beyond danger and hardship even there.
The division was set in motion at 8 P. M., May 12, and advancing by the Sperryville pike, through the gap in the Massanutten Range, it passed through Front Royal, Thoroughfare Gap, Gaines' Cross Roads, Warrenton, Catlett Station, and reached Fredericksburg, May 22, having made a march of 132 miles in nine days. Many stirring street scenes occurred between the "band box soldiers" of the Army of the Potomac and the weather-beaten, mud-stained, ragged cadets of Shield's Western troops. The next day was spent in washing, bathing, and purchasing soft bread, gingerbread, and cheese.
It was soon found that the division had arrived in the vicinity of reviews and inspections, the most detestable of all military performances to the utilitarian soldier.
Raid and Retreat of Jackson.
President Lincoln arrived on the morning train of the 24th, and ordered a review of the 43,000 troops then under the command of McDowell. The performance lasted until 9 P. M., and the men returned to their quarters with disgust, ripened into indignation. The expectation was general that the whole force would at once move against Richmond. Jackson very shrewdly checkmated that movement by raiding down to Winchester with 28,000 troops.
Shields' division was immediately set in motion to meet him, and save Washington and the North. By hard marching, night and day through Catlett Station, Manassas, White Plains, Rectorville, and Manassas Gap, it reached Front Royal at 3 P. M. of the 30th of May. Shields' division of 10,000 men was now on one of the direct roads between the enemy and Richmond. Gen. Fremont was making great efforts to reach the other. Hence a battle was thought imminent. But "many a slip" has hitherto changed prospective results in human affairs. The heavy cannonading on the Strasburg pike, indicated that Jackson was passing and Gen. Fremont was probably giving him a farewell salutation. So it proved; and the next business was to drive him once more up the Valley. Gen. Shields was ordered up on the eastern side of the Massanutten Range, while Fremont pushed the enemy on the western side. The roar of artillery daily marked his advance.
On the 8th of June the Rebel General halted his column and gave battle at Cross Keys. The third and fourth brigades of Shields' troops, numbering 3000 men, reached Port Republic on the same day. This town is on the Shenandoah, sixty-eight miles above Front Royal, and was occupied by the rear of Jackson's army.