As soon as Lee learned of the withdrawal of Shields' Division from the Valley, he started Jackson after Banks. Ewell and Jackson, combined, numbered over twenty thousand. Banks had about four thousand men. The first attack was at Winchester, on the 25th, and Banks was pressed, without regard to convenience of movement, until he was over the Potomac.
Shields' Division had been in front of Fredericksburg but three days, when on the
Back to the Valley.
25th, at 3 p.m., they were again on the march back to the Valley, to stop the new trouble there. 8 miles covered the first day.
On the 26th, 6 a.m., 22 miles, to within one mile of Catlett Station, arriving at 10 p.m.
On the 27th, changed position, 2 miles.
On the 28th, 12 miles to Haymarket.
On the 29th, 6 a.m., 15 miles to Rectortown, pitched tents, and at 7 p.m. started for Front Royal, marched all night, and reached there 6 p.m.
On the 30th, the Louisiana and Georgia troops had been driven out through the day by Colonel Nelson's Rhode Island Cavalry.
On the 31st, 2 p.m., went 4 miles out on the Winchester Pike, skirmishing with the enemy, accompanied by two pieces of artillery.