At three o’clock, A.M., the 24th instant, the reinforcements,
infantry, artillery and cavalry, sent to Colonel Kenly, were recalled;
the advance guard, Colonel Donnelly’s brigade, were ordered to
return to Strasburg. Several hundred disabled men, left in our charge
by Shields’ division, were put upon the march, and our wagon train
ordered forward to Winchester under escort of cavalry and infantry.
General Hatch, with nearly our whole force of cavalry, and six pieces
of artillery, was charged with the protection of the rear of the
column, and the destruction of army stores, for which transportation
was not provided, with instructions to remain in front of the town as
long as possible, and hold the enemy in check, our expectations of
attack being in that direction. All these orders were executed with
incredible alacrity, and soon after nine o’clock the column was on the
march, Colonel Donnelly in front, Colonel Gordon in the centre, and
General Hatch in the rear.
The column had passed Cedar creek, about three miles from Strasburg,
with the exception of the rear guard, still in front of Strasburg,
when information was received from the front that the enemy had
attacked the train, and was in full possession of the road at
Middletown. This report was confirmed by the return of fugitives,
refugees and wagons, which came tumbling to the rear in fearful
confusion.
It being apparent now that our immediate danger was in front, the
troops were ordered to the head of the column, and the train to the
rear, and, in view of a possible necessity of our return to Strasburg,
Captain James W. Albert, Topographical corps, who associated with him
the Zouaves D’Afrique, Captain Collis, was ordered to prepare Cedar
creek bridge for the flames, in order to prevent a pursuit in that
direction by the enemy. In the execution of this order Captain Albert
and the Zouaves were cut off from the column, which they joined at
Williamsport. They had at Strasburg a sharp conflict with the enemy,
in which his cavalry suffered severely. An interesting report of this
affair will be found in the reports of Captain Albert and Captain
Collis.