Part 2

On the morning of the 5th, under cover of a flag of truce, Ashby came over the river and was met at the bank by Colonel Murray. Ashby was blindfolded and conducted to the quarters of "B" company, into a room occupied by the Captain, 1st Lieutenant, and 1st Sergeant. The bandage being removed, Ashby put the question: "Who did you say is in command here?" Murray replied: "I do not think I said _who_ is in command." Ashby's expert question not bringing the expected reply, he then delivered to Murray the message he had from Jackson, a demand of the commanding officer of the troops for the surrender of the town within two hours, or he would shell it. Murray turned Ashby over to the care of Sergeant Mather, while he went to General Lander to repeat Jackson's demand.

Lander was desirous of knowing how long our men would stand under fire, and upon being assured by Murray that they had acted very well the day before, he refused the demand, in terms much emphasized, with the suggestion, that if Jackson wanted the town he would have to take it.

When Murray had delivered Lander's reply to Ashby, he reconducted the latter to the river bank, and Ashby recrossed.

The details of this incident are given as showing the aptness of the commander of the 84th for a sudden and trying occasion.

Notice was given to the citizens of the threatened shelling, and they were not long in getting beyond artillery limits.

Our men were placed in the streets at points best adapted for checking any attempt of the enemy to cross.

At the appointed time the fire commenced and continued through the day.

On the 6th, the artillery fire was mostly from our side.

On the 7th and 8th, reinforcements arrived.

This mid-winter movement of Jackson from Winchester was for the purpose of capturing the stores at Romney, Virginia, by surprise of the small force stationed there.

As soon as Lander became aware of Jackson's purpose he started off in a two-horse wagon, accompanied only by his Adjutant; drove as rapidly as he could along the National Pike to Cumberland, then across the river, and from there to Romney, in time to prevent the hoped-for surprise, and to get the troops away with all the stores that could be removed, destroying the remainder.

MARCH TO CUMBERLAND.

On the 10th, started from Hancock in company with the 110th Pa. and Andrews' Independent Company of Sharp Shooters, marched 18 miles, stopping at half past two the next morning.

A detail from the Regiment boarded a canal boat loaded with ammunition, as a guard to Cumberland. Their saving of a march was somewhat offset by a keen appreciation of the situation, knowing that a well-directed, or even stray, shot would destroy the boat and all of the boat load. The hoofs of the motive power were muffled to deaden the tramp of the mule.

Continued, on the 11th, along the National Pike, the last contingent reaching Cumberland on the 12th, and closing a forced march of 40 miles.

Jackson, baffled in his purpose, returned to Winchester. His Georgia troops especially suffered severely from their winter march.

On the 16th, from Cumberland to North Branch Bridge on the Virginia side.

On the 17th, at 3 P.M., review of all the troops.

On the 25th, first muster for pay, and on

February 5th, first pay drawn.

On the 6th, at 6 A.M., taken on cars to South Branch Bridge, this being the beginning of the movement to re-open the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Cumberland down.

On the 9th, reached Paw-Paw Tunnel, and bivouacked in the snow.

On the 10th, put up tents along the river; known as Camp Chase; and

On the 11th, reviewed by Colonel Kimball.

On the 13th, all the troops, excepting the 84th Pa. and 7th Va., left for Winchester, along with the artillery.

On the 21st, first battalion drill.

22d, review by General Lander.

28th, ordered to be ready to move at a moment's notice.

On March 2d, at Paw-Paw, occurred the death of General Lander from wound received at Balls Bluff. Colonel Kimball succeeded to the command.

On the 3d, obsequies attending General Lander's death.

On the 6th, marched as far as Back Creek, 8 miles below Hancock, on the Virginia side. At this creek the Regiment crossed on a suspension bridge of two wire ropes with boards laid thereon, sixty feet above the water.

At two o'clock on the morning of the 7th, arrived at Martinsburg.

ASSIGNED TO SHIELDS' DIVISION.

On the 8th, by order of the President, the troops operating in Virginia were classed in Five Army Corps--the 5th comprised of Banks' and Shields' Divisions, the 84th being assigned to the 2d Brigade (Carroll), 2d Division (Shields), 5th Corps (Banks).

SHENANDOAH VALLEY CAMPAIGN.

On the 11th, from Martinsburg at 8 A.M., reaching Bunker's Hill at 4 P.M., from there at 11 P.M., halting at 3 A.M. of the 12th, 18 miles from Martinsburg and four from Winchester. At 8 A.M. advanced one-half mile and formed line. Winchester occupied by Union troops. Artillery fire kept up through the day of the 13th.

On the night of the 14th, tents arrived and were put up on the ground known as Camp Kimball, two miles north of Winchester.

On the 18th, moved at 11 A.M., through Winchester, marching 14 miles in the direction of Strasburg.

On the 19th, marched through Strasburg and three miles beyond, when it was learned that Jackson had burned the bridge at Cedar Creek. Returned to within one mile of Strasburg, and

On the 20th, our troops took up the march for Winchester, covering the distance, 21 miles, through mud and rain, without a halt, and reaching Camp Kimball at 8 P.M.

Banks now supposed that Jackson had departed with his army from the Valley, and, in that belief, moved all his force, with the exception of Shields' Division, east of the Blue Ridge, and, on the morning of the 22d, himself started for Washington. Only a few hours later, 4 P.M., and Ashby's artillery made known to Shields that Jackson had returned.

Shields immediately advanced a part of his Division, commanding in person, with orders to Kimball, whose Brigade included the 84th, to follow with the remainder to a point on the Pike two miles south of Winchester.

It was at 4.30 when the Regiment received orders to "Fall-in."

Shields was brought back wounded, having been struck by a piece of shell. This placed Kimball in immediate command on the field, though Shields, from his quarters in the rear, continued through the remainder of this and the following day to receive information of the situation, and, as far as he possibly could, direct the course to be taken.

Between five and six o'clock the Regiment was ordered to the side of the road and there laid through the night.

At the close of the day Jackson's whole force was about half way between Winchester and Kernstown.

Again the error was committed in supposing that Jackson was out of the way.

BATTLE OF WINCHESTER.

On the morning of Sunday, the 23d, the Regiment was ordered into camp on the left of the Kernstown Road, and it was while Colonel Murray was engaged in laying out the ground, word came that a battle was at hand, and immediately the order was given to "Fall in."

The artillery fire opened about eleven o'clock.

The Regiment was ordered to take position on the extreme right of the Division line, and about 2 P.M. was ordered to the centre in support of Clark's Regular and Robinson's Ohio Batteries.

The attack on the left of the Division at this time was successfully met by Sullivan's Brigade.

After this repulse, Jackson's attention was directed to our right. Passing his troops along our front, under cover of the woods, he took a position commanding the right of the Division and with a view to turning that flank and getting to our rear. To aid in this movement, with his men well protected, he started a furious fire from his guns at a distance of half a mile.

About four o'clock the order came from Kimball to Murray to charge straight up to the battery and take it if possible.

The place of the battery was the very key to the enemy's position.

That hour, near the close of that March day, the 23d, made for the 84th Pa. a reputation which was never for a moment blurred in any of its after course. The Regiment equalled itself on other fields, at other times, but it never could have had the opportunity to surpass the gallantry, the true bravery, the manly courage, the noble heroism, the devotion to country, displayed at Winchester, its first battle.

As it did then, so it did always. Wherever ordered to go it went. Through forest, across open field, was no matter in the execution of the order to go. Its Soldiers never stopped to estimate the probable result. Casualties were noted only after the battle, when they went upon the roll as unalterable fact.

On this day, over the intervening space, went the Regiment, and Murray with it.

No doubt, then, of the moral worth of their commander. No waver of thought then as to the true courage of their leader. But for one moment following upon the contest, in which for officers and men to have spoken to him the word which would have been their every assurance, that in the sure test of a soldier he had proved himself all that could have been asked for, and more. But time, _this side_, with him, had stopped, ere the Regiment crossed the line of its victory. Where the Regiment was to strike his line, the enemy was in strong position on the edge of a wood, behind natural breast-works of rocks and hillocks, and with two hundred yards of open space to his front.

The moment the order to charge was received, the Regiment started off by the flank, the Pioneer corps in the advance to take down fences. Down the hill, over the meadow ground and through the woods to the opening, all the time exposed to the rebel artillery fire.

Unsupported on either flank, the Regiment pressed forward in line, up the slope, two-thirds of the distance across the open space, and halted just before reaching the top.

Colonel Murray knew that the Regiment could not stay where it was. To his Adjutant he said: "We cannot hold this place; we must either advance or retreat, and we will not retreat."

Both his Field Officers were absent. His horse had been killed, as had also that of his Adjutant, and he was now dismounted.

Waiting only long enough for his Adjutant to make known his purpose to the Company Commanders, Murray gave the order to "Charge!" Promptly the order was obeyed, and he and his Regiment were well on the way, when he fell, without a word, instantly killed, his forehead pierced by a ball, seemingly guided in its course by the flash of the figures 8 and 4 upon his cap, through which the bullet crashed on its way to claim the life which thus far had led the Regiment that was to turn the tide.

Inspired as they were by so noble an example, even so great a loss, at so critical a moment, did not stop the Regiment in its course.

Without a Field Officer, on they went, until within twenty paces, or less, of that well-protected line, and there stood, firing and receiving the greater fire, never thinking to go back, not knowing but that they were there to stay, either as soldiers fighting in the ranks, or lying, helpless, cheering their comrades on--or dead.

The 14th Indiana coming up, aided in forcing the enemy's line, and Tyler's Brigade having forced the line behind the stone fence in their front, the battle was over. The enemy was pursued a mile or more, and under cover of night Jackson started his whole army, which before morning was in full retreat up the Valley, leaving the victory of Winchester to Shields' Division.

* * * * *

The 84th numbered 255 in the battle. At its close it numbered 92 less. Three officers and eighteen men killed. Two officers and sixty-nine men wounded.

Captain Gallagher, "E" Co., and Lieutenant Reem, "A" Co., were among the killed.

* * * * *

The poetical side of the Regiment is shown in the following verses:

BY TOODLES.

Yes, yes, old flag, we love thee, Although bedimm'd with gore, We follow thee through battle, We'll follow thee once more. Although thy staff is shattered, The Stripes are torn and gory, Thy stars the brighter seem to us, Since covered o'er with glory.

Though many fell beneath thy folds, To keep thee still aflying, They gazed upon thy bars of gold, And blessed thee, too, when dying. We'll bear thee onward thro' the strife, 'Mid shot and shell and blow, We'll never yield thee but with life, To any traitor foe.

* * * * *

[Written for the _Cartridge Box_.]

The 84th, we are the crew, To raise the Stripes, Red, White and Blue. MacDowell, now, who takes command, Will lead us on through Dixie's Land. Pennsylvania's favorite Sons, Always true and Loyal ones. Old Jeff may ride jackass or mule, We're bound to catch him his neck to pull.

TO THE MEMORY OF COLONEL WILLIAM G. MURRAY.

BY JAMES GAILY.

When Col. Murray drew his sword, It was in Freedom's cause, To fight against the rebels, That defied our Flag and laws. The Pennsylvania Eighty-fourth, Of which he had command, Against the rebels, ten to one, At Hancock made a stand.

It was the twenty-third of March, Near Winchester we lay, At eight o'clock the shell and shot, On us began to play. When Gen'l Shields, that never yields, He heard the distant noise, Then faced about and with a shout, Said, "Double-quick, my boys."

When Gen'l Shields came on the field, They fought like heroes brave, With sword in hand he gave command, Our flag did proudly wave. Although our Regiment suffered most, They did not shrink or fail, Their gallant Colonel led them on Through storms of iron hail.

The Eighty-fourth was ordered up To charge the enemy, To drive the rebels from their guns, And save their battery. Like veterans they made their charge, It was conducted well, But in the mid'st of victory, Our gallant Murray fell.

He boldly led the Eighty-fourth, Until he was shot dead; While bravely cheering on his men A bullet pierced his head. Their fire seemed directed most Against the Eighty-fourth, But hand to hand they could not stand Our tigers of the North.

The Stars and Stripes of Liberty, That always lead to fame, Linked with its brave defenders now Is Col. Murray's name. And soon they will avenge his death, The gallant Eighty-fourth, For none but those who knew him well Could estimate his worth.

The gallant officers and men, Receive our heart-felt thanks, They would not fly but rather die, Within the Union ranks. The rose and evergreen will bloom, Upon the honored grave Of Col. William G. Murray, The bravest of the brave.

The account of the battle in the New York _World_, as reported by its correspondent, contained the following:

"The 84th Pa. suffered more than any other. This Regiment, of which there were only 300 engaged (proper number 255), lost 23 killed and 63 wounded from the bullets of the enemy, among them Col. Murray."

GENERAL ORDER BY GOVERNOR CURTIN.

In "General Order No. 20, Harrisburg, April 4th, 1862," Governor Curtin spoke as follows: "The example of the gallant Colonel Murray, of the 84th, who fell at the head of his Regiment in the conflict at Winchester, with that of the noble men of his command, who there gave their lives a willing sacrifice to their Country, must stimulate all who have enlisted in the service to increased devotion, while their memory will be cherished by every patriot and add honor to the arms of Pennsylvania and the Union."

* * * * *

On the day after Winchester, Banks with part of his Corps went past in pursuit of the enemy, now on their way up the Valley.

On the 25th, the Regiment marched to Cedar Creek and return, 24 miles.

On the 26th, Detail ordered to bury the dead.

On the 27th, marched 12 miles to Berryville, arriving at four o'clock, and the Regiment assigned to Provost Duty.

On April 3d, General Banks was assigned by the War Department to the command of the Department of the Shenandoah, and General McDowell to the Department of the Rappahannock.

Lieut. Col. MacDowell joined the Regiment, for the first time, at Berryville, but remained only a short time, owing to the condition of his health.

On April 22d, the Regiment went from Berryville to Winchester, arriving at 5 P.M.

Order of General Shields, congratulating the troops on their bravery at Winchester, was read.

General Blencker, passing through Winchester with his command, personally complimented the 84th for the part taken in the battle.

On May 4th, Regiment ordered to join the Division as soon as relieved, and on the

10th, relieved by five companies of the 10th Maine.

The Regiment was now a part of the 4th Brigade, 2d Division, old 5th Corps.

MARCH TO FREDERICKSBURG.

On the 11th, started at 11 A.M. and marched to Cedar Creek, 15 miles.

On the 12th, started at 8 A.M. and moved 4 miles to West of Strasburg.

On the 13th, 2 P.M., moved from Strasburg to Middletown, 6 miles, arriving at 6 P.M.

On the 14th, 6 A.M., to Front Royal, fording the Shenandoah, 12 miles. Quartered in rebel hospital.

On the 15th, whole of Shields' Division at Middletown.

On the 16th, marched with the supply train over the Blue Ridge, 10 miles toward Warrenton, stopping at 6 P.M.

On the 17th, marched from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M., 15 miles.

On the 18th, 6 A.M., passing through Warrenton; stopped at 6 P.M., 12 miles.

On the 19th, 6 A.M., arrived at Duryea's camp 11 A.M., 6 miles.

On the 20th, at Catlett Station.

On the 21st, 6 A.M., 18 miles.

22d, 6 A.M., 14 miles, stopping at 3 P.M. Went into camp opposite Fredericksburg.

23d, portion of army reviewed by President Lincoln. 84th not in review.

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.

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.

BATTLE OF PORT REPUBLIC.

Thus far the Massanutten Mountains had separated Jackson and his immediate pursuers from Shields. This mountain range stops just before reaching Port Republic. The only troops in the town were the four regiments of Carroll's Brigade, 1st Va., 7th Ind., 84th and 110th Pa., about sixteen hundred strong.

"At this point," read the orders to General Shields, "you will intercept Jackson and cut off his retreat."

With the bridge standing, Carroll's force, or even the entire Division, would be a mere handful against the foe now almost at hand.

The effectual cut-off would have been the destruction of the bridge, and had there been but one man there, in place of a brigade, he would have destroyed it.

Did Shields order Carroll to burn the bridge?

And, if so, did Carroll think it would be more soldierly to fight the whole rebel army?

Whatever the answer, the fact remains that the bridge was not burned. When the attempt was made it was too late.

Over the bridge was Jackson's only way of escape from Fremont. When he found Carroll there he moved up his advance, under cover of the night, quietly posted twenty guns where they would command the way over the river, and opened them at daylight. The fire was too much to stand against, and over the bridge came Jackson's cavalry, followed by his columns of infantry, and having forced our small command back the Luray Valley to Conrad's Store, and burned the bridge to avoid further trouble with Fremont, he had a good free road to Richmond, where he met with a cordial welcome from Lee.

The loss of 124 killed and 292 wounded showed the disposition of Carroll's Brigade to fight, as also the character of the rebel fire, and the 514 prisoners testified to the character of the pursuit in getting Carroll out of the way.

Ewell was liberal enough to concede three Confederates to one National, in number, and voluntarily said, "It was a most gallant fight on the part of the latter."

The Regiment lost one man killed and ten wounded.

On the 10th, Shields' Division reached Luray, and on the

15th, was again at Front Royal.

On the 18th, at Manassas Junction, and on the

25th, arrived at Camp Pope, near Alexandria.

"ARMY OF VIRGINIA."

On the 26th, by order of the President, the forces under Fremont, Banks, and McDowell were constituted the "Army of Virginia," Pope in command, Fremont assigned to the 1st Corps, Banks the 2d, and McDowell the 3d. Fremont withdrew from the Service because thus made subordinate to an officer whose commission post-dated his own.

The career of Shields' Division, as such, was now ended, the 1st and 2d Brigades being sent to McClellan on the Peninsula.

Carroll's Brigade was now to be a part of Ricketts' Division, McDowell's Corps.

* * * * *

A glance at the map, with a view to locating the places to which reference has been made by name, will make clear the importance of the work in which the 84th was engaged thus early in its career.

It will also make plain that all of danger to Washington did not lie across the Long Bridge.

Length of consideration is not needed to incline to the opinion that Jackson in Maryland and Pennsylvania, in the early days of '62, would have produced a feeling throughout the North not calculated to lessen the weight of the conflict.

Operations by other troops in the eastern part of Virginia would have been impossible had Jackson overcome the forces in the Valley. Against him Shields' Division played an effective part.

It was Shields' Division, and not the "other fellows," that Jackson's men least desired to meet.