Monday, November 30, 2009

From Gen. Shields Division

WASHINGTON, April 17.

The following has been received at the War Department:


MOUNT JACKSON, 11 A. M.

Our troops occupy Mount Jackson at 7 o’clock this morning, and are now in front of Rudesville, where the enemy appears to be in force. The people report that they intend giving battle there. They resisted our advance in order to gain time for the burning of bridges, railway cars, engines &c., which had accumulated at the terminus of the road; but our movement was so sudden, and the retreat of the rebels so precipitate, that we were enabled to save the bridges and two locomotives and some cars. All these had been prepared with combustible material for instant conflagration.

Many prisoners have been taken, and several horses captured from the enemy. The troops have acted admirably.

Col. Carroll’s brigade of Gen. Shields division led the advance on the back road to the rear of Mount Jackson, and Gen. McCall on the turnpike. Gen. Williams with his main division brought up the reserved. We shall occupy New Market to-night.

Gen. Shields has so far recovered as to command his division in person.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19, 1862, p. 1

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