608 14^th St. N.W.

Washington, D.C.

May 1, 1917

 

Dear Luther:—

                        Your letter to hand. I find that you have a pretty clear idea of the and have given a pretty good explanation of the movements of the Armies in the spring & summer of '62. The valley campaign of Jackson after Banks is very familiar to you and to me. I consider it one of the best strategic movements recorded in history. Had Fremont's coming from Romney to Strasburg & Shields by the railroad from Manassas struck arrived at Strasburg first would have had old Jack in a bad fix. I sometimes think his prayers brought him through.

 

When at Harrisonburg Jackson turned "head a column to the left" on the Port Republic Road as you remember. Shields Fremont followed him close and at Cross Keys and Jackson gave him battle and came off victorious. There's where the immortal Ashby was killed. Before his death he captured the great "bragadocio" Col. Percy Wyndom who had promised that he would "bag Ashby". /

 

Jackson knowing Shields was coming up Luray Valley to head him off hurried to get into Port Republic where the middle & main branch of the Shenandoah form a junction. He crossed over the middle branch with his army burned the bridge then crossed the main branch to the east side and drove Shields back.

 

            I am sure you remember the fight. A great many amusing things occurred while on the Blue Ridge Mn. side.

 

Fremont came up & tried to assist Shields by shelling Ash Jackson / Being so far off his shells failed to go far enough to reach Jackson's army. It is said that Shields got a piece of artillery in Port Republic to shell the bridge. Jackson ordered it away. They thought it was a Union officer giving the command. It was further stated that Jackson had said that as soon as he opened fire upon Shields army they would run being filled up with Seigel & Blincoe's Germans. I do not know if Jackson said that but I do know that it is true. /

 

I think with you that it must have been on the night of Aug. 30 that Gen. Lee slept at the Footer home.

 

About the map, I cannot just now suggest where you could get a map of that section.

 

Old boy, your article is O.K. Always glad to make any suggestion in my humble way that will help out.

 

                                                            Always sincerely yours,

 

                                                                        "Tip" Peake.

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