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DAY OF HUMILIATION.

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forests on their route, and so enveloping their rear in clouds of smoke. However, he succeeded in driving them before him to Franklin, where darkness and fog combined to check his progress.

His general order on the occasion of the success just detailed is eminently characteristic—“ Soldiers of the Army of the Valley and North-West, I congratulate you on your recent victory at M'Dowell. I request you to unite with me this morning in thanksgiving to Almighty God for having thus crowned your arms with success; and in praying that He will continue to lead you on from victory to victory, until your independence shall be established; and make us a people whose God is the Lord."

Under a genial sun they assembled to sing the praises of the great Deliverer. It was not the roar of cannon but a voice as the sound of many waters' that broke the stillness of the valley, and called forth the echoes of the mountains, as hallelujah and hosannah alternated in their hymn of thanksgiving,

The Friday following had been appointed as a day of general humiliation and prayer for people and armies by the Confederate Government. This was observed by Jackson's troops at the Lebanon Springs; on Saturday their march was ended in "the beautiful region of Mossy Creek," where, no emergency interfering, they were allowed to spend a Sabbath of repose.

He was a gentle-hearted Christian, but the sternest of iron warriors. While his forces were at M'Dowell,

a small section of them who had volunteered for a twelvemonth, deeming that the conscription was unjust in their case, laid down their arms-their year having expired-and demanded their discharge. Jackson, hearing of this from their commanding officer, fired with indignation-"Why report it to me?" he exclaimed; "it is mutiny, and you know how to deal with mutiny." Ordering the men to be instantly paraded, he proposed to them the alternative. of submission or instant death. Of course they chose the former, submitting thoroughly during all their after-service. He was never called upon from that time to deal with any organised insubordination.

CHAPTER X.

PURSUIT TO WINCHESTER.

THE period which had now arrived was critical for Richmond the movements of the Confederate Government indicating a purpose of abandoning it to the Federals. Meanwhile, Virginia was resolute in her protest, and her General Assembly delegated a committee to represent their wishes to the President. They were courteously but discouragingly received; being assured that the desertion of the capital did not imply by any means the desertion of the entire State. Meanwhile, events occurred which altered the policy of the Government, determining them to defend Richmond with earnest vigour.

Jackson's share in the execution of this purpose was speedily assigned; he was to keep a constant check on General Banks, so as to prevent him from combining with other forces for purposes of attack. He still held to the belief that the object of the Federal commander was to occupy Staunton, and command the central railroad, and directed his measures accordingly; confidently anticipating an engagement with hm in the Valley. Two fire-brigades were sent to rein

force him, but before they could effect a union with his troops they were ordered back to Richmond, to defend the approaches on the side of Fredericksburg. To increase his difficulties, he was all but deprived of the assistance of Ewell. That general had received orders to move at once from Swift Run Gap towards Gordonsville, at the very moment that Jackson was counting on his aid for an attack on Banks. Riding express night and day, without an escort, he met Jackson on Sunday at Mossy Creek, and communicated to him the instructions he had received. Jackson's reply to this disappointing intelligence was eminently illustrative of his loyalty and submission. His advance, in the hope of a satisfactory encounter, had cost him unheard-of sacrifices, but he submitted without a murmur. "Then Providence denies me the privilege," he said, "of striking a decisive blow for my country; and I must be satisfied with the humbler task of hiding my little army about these mountains to watch a superior force." His unselfishness deeply affected his brother general, who replied that, as he was his superior officer, if he would authorise his joining him, he was prepared to do so. Jackson at once assented and arranged that the junction should be accomplished at Newmarket, near Harrisonburg.

In pursuance of their plans, Jackson left Mossy Creek on Monday, May 19, and reached Newmarket by two marches. His army now consisted of sixteen thousand men, and forty field-guns; and his object

DISCOMFITURE OF BANKS.

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was to draw out the Federal commander from his entrenched position. In this he entirely succeeded. Banks, eager to save his communications from being cut off, issued from his fortifications, and the Federals were suddenly surprised by the presence of a hostile army in their rear. Thus overtaken, they took up a commanding position on the side next to Winchester, overlooking the approach of the Confederates from the opposite quarter. Being speedily dislodged, however, Jackson seized on their position and beheld the spectacle of the enemy's camp enveloped in flames; their infantry, under the cover of the smoke, marching up the road from the opposite bank, in full view. "Oh, what an opportunity for artillery!" he exclaimed. "Oh, that my guns were here!" and turning sharply round to the only aide-de-camp at hand, bade him "Order up at once every rifled gun and every brigade in the army." Too late, however; the Federals had passed the ridge, and the only thing then to be done was to pursue them without delay.

Nor did they escape in peace. At this critical moment, Colonel Flournoy appeared with his detachment on the Winchester Road to join in the chase. The Federals were overtaken near the little hamlet of Cedarville, and stood at bay. Jackson, with a voice admitting of no dispute, at once ordered the attack. The result was the killing or capturing of nearly the whole of the force. Thus, with two hundred and fifty men, a body four times their strength was utterly routed. The decision and promptitude of the Con

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