On the 18th, moved at 11 a.m., through Winchester, marching 14 miles in the direction of Strasburg.
On the 19th, marched through Strasburg and three miles beyond, when it was learned that Jackson had burned the bridge at Cedar Creek. Returned to within one mile of Strasburg, and
On the 20th, our troops took up the march for Winchester, covering the distance, 21 miles, through mud and rain, without a halt, and reaching Camp Kimball at 8 p.m.
Banks now supposed that Jackson had departed with his army from the Valley, and, in that belief, moved all his force, with the exception of Shields' Division, east of the Blue Ridge, and, on the morning of the 22d, himself started for Washington. Only a few hours later, 4 p.m., and Ashby's artillery made known to Shields that Jackson had returned.
Shields immediately advanced a part of his Division, commanding in person, with orders to Kimball, whose Brigade included the 84th, to follow with the remainder to a point on the Pike two miles south of Winchester.
It was at 4.30 when the Regiment received orders to "Fall-in."
Shields was brought back wounded, having been struck by a piece of shell. This placed Kimball in immediate command on the field, though Shields, from his quarters in the rear, continued through the remainder of this and the following day to receive information of the situation, and, as far as he possibly could, direct the course to be taken.
Between five and six o'clock the Regiment was ordered to the side of the road and there laid through the night.
At the close of the day Jackson's whole force was about half way between Winchester and Kernstown.
Again the error was committed in supposing that Jackson was out of the way.