Blenker's division, composed of three brigades of German volunteers, was
detached from the Army of the Potomac in March, 1862, to assist Frémont in
his operations against Jackson. The German troops were but poorly
equipped, many of them carrying old-pattern Belgian and Austrian muskets.
When they united with Frémont he was obliged to rearm them with
Springfield rifles from his own stores. When the combined forces met
Jackson and Ewell at Cross Keys, five of Blenker's regiments were sent
forward to the first attack. In the picture Brigadier-General Louis
Blenker is standing, with his hand on his belt, before the door. At his
left is Prince Felix Salm-Salm, a Prussian military officer, who joined
the Federal army as a colonel of volunteers. At the right of Blenker is
General Stahel, who led the advance of the Federal left at Cross Keys.
[Illustration: FLANKING THE ENEMY.
_Painted by J. W. Gies._
_Copyright, 1901, by Perrien-Keydel Co.,
Detroit, Mich., U. S. A._]