George H. Gordon, From Brook Farm to Cedar Mountain

[187] Luray, and only ten miles from Front RoyaL To conduct his march so secretly that the descent of his columns would give Kenly the first knowledge of his approach, Jackson in the morning diverged from the well-travelled highway that leads from Luray to Front Royal, and by a steep and narrow footpath gained the wooded hills to the east. Thence descending, it was Jackson's purpose to cut Kenly off from flight across the passes of the Blue Ridge towards Washington, while Ashby's cavalry with Flournoy, crossing the South Fork of the Shenandoah, moved to intercept the little band to the west towards Strasburg. Ashby directed his march as far to the west as Buckton, where a bridge and some fortifications were occupied by the two companies from my brigade; Flournoy's movements were made between Buckton and Front Royal.¹

Before the pickets at Front Royal had been fairly dispersed, Colonel Kenly had formed his command on the crest of a hill about a mile north of the town and in rear of his camp. Here with his whole disposable force of about nine hundred men and two pieces of artillery he calmly awaited the onset of the vastly superior force of the enemy. In his front the ground was level; his guns commanded the approaches. The enemy advanced cautiously, and were received with shells from Knapp's Battery. With a grim humor Jackson selected a Rebel Maryland regiment² to attack the loyal Marylanders. Supported by cavalry, who in turn were sustained by Taylor's brigade of infantry and two battalions of Louisiana Tigers under