By this time Jackson was aware of the situation, which he had not apprehended when he was bent on routing Banks.
He now realized that Banks was beyond capture and safe; that he must leave the Potomac to his rear; that in so doing Banks would have the advantage of pursuing a retreating column; that on his retreat he would probably run against Fremont, and could not evade Shields.
He knew that he had but one way to go. He knew there was but one way of escape, and that over the bridge at Port Republic.
June 1st, Shields' Division took up its part of the program and went 10 miles toward Luray, and on the
2d, 15 miles further in the same direction.
On the 4th, arrived at Columbia Bridge, near Luray.
On the 5th and 6th, remained at Columbia Bridge, and on the
7th, marched during the night, reaching Port Republic on the morning of the 8th.
The advance of Fremont's forces had struck the rear guard of Jackson, in retreat, on the 1st, 5 miles from Strasburg, which brought on skirmishing, and on the 7th, 4 miles beyond Harrissonburg, a fight took place between the advance of Fremont's Corps and Jackson's rear guard, and on the 8th was fought the battle of Cross Keys, between Fremont's Corps and Jackson's troops, lasting from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m.