The subjoined statement, respecting facts not hitherto generally known, says the N. Y. Tribune, reaches us from a highly respectable source:
“Gen. Lander arrived at Hancock by express from Washington at 3 a. m. on Sunday, the 5th, to take command. He found there about 2,700 troops, two of the regiments having received their arms but the day before. He was there attacked by Major-Gen. Jackson, commanding the Army of the Valley of Virginia, 16,000 strong, with 22 pieces of artillery. Jackson demanded an unconditional surrender of the town, Government property, &c., stating that if he defended it he would burn it and take the unusual military vengeance. Lander replied that the responsibility of burning the town lay with Jackson if he was able to do it, but the responsibility of defending it was his, and he should not accede to his proposition. The enemy commenced shelling the town at 10 a. m., but the Union Infantry, posted behind a hill and under cover of brick buildings, suffered no loss whatever.
“The regular artillery, in charge of Lieut. Muhlenburg replied so efficiently to the enemy’s that it was soon withdrawn, with loss of officers and men, and after changing their position the result was the same. The inhabitants had left the town prior to the shelling, which continued during Sunday and Monday, doing some damage to buildings and warehouses, but with no actual result in the enemy’s favor. On Tuesday afternoon three contrabands appeared on the Virginia bank, and proper precautions being taken against surprise, a boat was sent for them. One of them proved to be the servant of Gen. Anderson. He reported that the enemy’s infantry had absolutely refused to enter the ford in the face of the cover afforded by the brick warehouse on the landing to our forces; also that the main body of the rebels had retired in the direction of Romney, with the intention of cutting off Kelly’s force at that point. Lander at once established a horse express across the mountain, and informed Kelly of the movement, in consequence of which he threw forward a force, engaged 1500 of the rebels who had been holding a pass known as Blue Gap, dispersed them and captured their artillery. Kelly requested Lander to cross the river at Hancock and harass the rear of the enemy, while he attacked in front. Lander prepared to do it at once. – He, however, repeated the request he had urgently made by telegraph on Sunday to the Commander in Chief, that Gen. Banks might be allowed to cross the river further east, Capture Martinsburg, and fall on the rear of the enemy, while he kept him occupied at Hancock. Neither the plan of crossing, nor the language in which orders were asked, met with the approval of Gen. McClellan, who at once reprimanded Lander, stating it was utter folly for him to cross the river, and ordering him to start at once for Romney, which he did.
“Further information has been received from Gen. Lander, by which it appears that having been re-inforced, he marched on Thursday, at the head of between seven and eight thousand men, upon the enemy at Romney. The rebel forces were about equal to his own. They declined fighting, and retreated across the river, destroying the wire bridge in their rear, and running off, probably to Winchester. As heretofore stated, Gen. Lander is in possession of Romney.”
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, February 15, 1862, p. 2
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