The Mob in Baltimore – Banks’ Retreat

BALTIMORE, May 25 – During the day 100 persons were knocked down in different parts of the city.  In one or two cases ropes were brought out and preparations for hanging parties to lamp posts were made.  Two men were stabbed but not dangerously.  Among those attacked was Robert McLane, late Minister to Mexico who was saved by the police.

Two members of Kenley’s regiment have arrived in the city.  They report they were attacked by a large cavalry force under Ashby and several regiments of infantry.

The fight commenced at 12 o’clock and continued till night when the infantry force succeeded in surrounding them.

The first fight and repulse took place east of the Shenandoah and finding the force too great he retreated to the west side destroying the principal bridge.  West of the river he made another stand and Knapp’s battery mowed the rebels down with shell and grape.  They fired in all nearly 200 rounds.  Col. Kenley received a musket shot in the neck, during the first attack but continued on horse back until the close of the day when he was placed in an ambulance fearfully exhausted.

The last fight took place about four miles this side of Front Royal his effort being to fall back in order expecting reinforcements momentarily from Gen. Banks.  A number of Knapp’s battery who escaped say the Maryland regiment fought bravely, and that Col. Kenley led them frequently to bayonet charges.  They also say that on the third approach of Ashby’s cavalry he displayed a white flag until within pistol range when Col. Kenley ordered firing to cease.  The white flag was then thrown down and the enemy rushed on our troops, cutting and slashing, refusing all quarter.

Lieut. Col. Dushane and Maj. Miller are both thought to be wounded and prisoners.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 4

Gen. Banks’ Retreat

NEW YORK, May 28. – The Herald has pretty full accounts of Banks’ retreat from its correspondent.

Only 150 men out of 800 or 900 engaged escaped from the Front Royal fight.

Forty of our soldiers, mostly sick were captured at Newtown.  On named David Dickinson, of the 66^th Ohio was killed in the skirmish of Saturday.

The Maine and Vermont cavalry suffered severely.  Co. A of the Vermont cavalry were all lost, captured or killed except Capt. Platte, his Lieutenant and half a dozen men, who made good their escape.

Major Collins is among the captured and Major Sawyer, whose horse fell under him and injured his foot, made his escape, with no further injuries.

During the Sunday fight which continued two hours before the retreat from Winchester Donnelly’s brigade behaved admirably and repulsed the enemy but being outflanked by superior numbers they were compelled to withdraw. – Our forces, Donnelly’s brigade on the left and Gordon’s on the right were in position along a gorge between two hills.  The enemy are said to have fought well.  At one point they came up in a large hollow square single file on the frong and back and double file on each side, marching up thus to within a certain distance, they were ordered to halt, fix bayonets and charge, which they did in good order.

Col. Gordon and staff are safe, also General Williams and staff.

While retreating through Winchester, men from houses opened fire with pistols on our soldiers killing a great many of them.

Lieut. Brown of the 28^th N. Y. is said to have been killed.

Col. Knipe of the 46^th Pennsylvania wounded and taken prisoner.

Col. Murphy of the 29^th Pennsylvania killed and many others.

The column retreated in good order pursued by the enemy beyond Martinsburgh.  The baggage train proceeded as far as the Potomac and many of the teams have been conveyed across the ferry boats.  The operator at Martinsburgh had left the town on the first rumor of a battle at Winchester, and taken the instruments with him.  The whole town seemed deserted , the stores were closed, many Union people came along with us, and negroes.

Gen. Banks was in the rear of the retreat and a shell exploded only four feet from him, fortunately without injuring him.  Winchester is reported to be burned.

The enemy had stationed a force at Berryville to prevent our retreating towards Harper’s Ferry and we were compelled to take the road to Martinsburg.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 3