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a large number of officers were serving in the ranks, carrying muskets.
Received reinforcements.
At
Lynchburg Early was reinforced by
Generals Breckinridge with
Wharton's division of infantry,
Jenkins' and
Vaughan's mounted infantry,
William L. Jackson's and
Morgan's cavalry.
His whole force then numbered 10,000 infantry, and about 3,000 cavalry.
He was further reinforced by
Kershaw's division of infantry and
Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry before the
Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864.
At no time had his army more than 10,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry.
With this disorganized force, he fought and defeated
Lew Wallace at Frederick City, July 6th, and arrived in front of
Washington on July 11th, about 12 M., making his headquarters at
Silver Springs, the residence of lion.
Francis P. Blair. Being in the enemy's country, he had to march by brigades, each defending its own wagon train, and, it being exceedingly hot, it was nearly dark before he could make a demonstration against
Fort Stevens; and when it was done, it was found that
General Grant had got a corps of his best troops there in its defense.
After consultation,
General Early determined to withdraw his troops again to
Winchester.
The burning of the home of
Montgomery Blair was wholly an accident, caused by its being unoccupied and at the mercy of straggling soldiers.
General Early, during his entire stay, protected private property to the full extent of his power, and and never gave an order to destroy
Blair's home.
General Early, however, concluded not to stay at
Winchester, but proceeded down the
Valley to
New Market.
He, however, left
Major-General Ramseur with his command, with positive instructions not to bring on a fight.
Ramseur took dinner with
Mr. Phil. Dandridge, and when the enemy made a demonstration, started his command to chastise them.
Feeling pretty good, no doubt, from the wine at dinner, he was careless in his movements, and when four miles north of
Winchester, ran into an ambuscade, which came near annihilating his command.
He lost his battery of artillery, and several officers and men, and but for
William L. Jackson's cavalry, which was in his rear, unmounted, the entire command would have been captured.
In
