ty of
reviews and inspections, the most detestable of all military
performances to the utilitarian soldier.

[Sidenote: Raid and Retreat of Jackson.]

President Lincoln arrived on the morning train of the 24th, and ordered
a review of the 43,000 troops then under the command of McDowell. The
performance lasted until 9 P. M., and the men returned to their quarters
with disgust, ripened into indignation. The expectation was general that
the whole force would at once move against Richmond. Jackson very
shrewdly checkmated that movement by raiding down to Winchester with
28,000 troops.

Shields' division was immediately set in motion to meet him, and save
Washington and the North. By hard marching, night and day through
Catlett Station, Manassas, White Plains, Rectorville, and Manassas Gap,
it reached Front Royal at 3 P. M. of the 30th of May. Shields' division
of 10,000 men was now on one of the direct roads between the enemy and
Richmond. Gen. Fremont was making great efforts to reach the other.
Hence a battle was thought imminent. But "many a slip" has hitherto
changed prospective results in human affairs. The heavy cannonading on
the Strasburg pike, indicated that Jackson was passing and Gen. Fremont
was probably giving him a farewell salutation. So it proved; and the
next business was to drive him once more up the Valley. Gen. Shields was
ordered up on the eastern side of the Massanutten Range, while Fremont
pushed the enemy on the western side. The roar of artillery daily marked
his advance.

On the 8th of June the Rebel General halted his column and gave battle
at Cross Keys. The third and fourth brigades of Shields' troops,
numbering 3000 men, reached Port Republic on the same day. This town is
on the Shenandoah, sixty-eight miles above Front Royal, and was
occupied by the rear of Jackson's army.

During all the afternoon, these brigades lay quietly listening to the
roar of the artillery, within sight of Jackson's train and rear. Farther
and farther away the sounds receded at night, and it was evident that
Fremont was falling back.

[Sidenote: Battle of Port Republic.]

In breathless suspense did Gen. Shield's men listen to these receding
sounds, for, almost by instinct, they knew their turn was soon to come.
The attempt to burn the bridge at Port Republic, and thus to prevent the
retreat of the enemy to Richmond, for some inexplicable reason, was not
executed. During the night, Jackson crossed over 10,