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numbering less than thirty-six hundred men present for duty.1 There were also at Strasburg, of cavalry 800, and of artillery ten Parrott guns and six smooth-bore fieldpieces.
At Front Royal there were in all not to exceed nine hundred men.2
Along the road nearer Strasburg, and already counted in the total, there were three companies from my brigade: Captain H. S. Russell of the Second Massachusetts, at the bridge just out of Strasburg; one company of the Twentyseventh Indiana, and one of the Third Wisconsin, both about five miles from the town.
So far as the concealment of Jackson's march was one of his main purposes, it was most effective.
This is claimed by Southern writers 3 to have been his main reason for planning his attack between Front Royal and Strasburg; although it is said that others of weight were, to avoid our fortifications, and insure the issuing of Banks from them to save his communications with eastern Virginia.
That Jackson got fairly upon Banks's flank without his knowledge the latter admits.4
Colonel Joln R. Kenly, commanding the First Maryland (Union) Regiment of infantry with the force already mentioned, had been sent from Strasburg in pursuance of orders
1 See General Williams's Report.
2 Eight companies First Maryland Regiment, 775 men; two companies Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania, Lieutenant-Colonel Perham commanding; Fifth New York, two companies, Ira Harris's cavalry (100 men); one section of artillery, Knapp's Battery, Lieutenant Atwell, 38 men; Captain Mapes's Pioneer Corps, 56 men (engaged in reconstructing bridges),--total, under command of Colonel Kenly of the First Maryland, scarcely 1,000 men: did not exceed 900 men. Banks's Report.
3 Dabney's Life of Jackson, p. 91.
4 “On the twenty-third of May, it was discovered that the whole force of the enemy was in movement down the valley of the Shenandoah, between the Massanutten range of mountains and the Blue Ridge, and in close proximity to the town (Front Royal).” Banks's Oficial Report.
James R. Osgood and Company, 1883.
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