1862 May 25 Martinsburg turnpike above Winchester, Va.

[letter written on captured Union stationery with a red and blue vignette depicting an officer reviewing troops and the caption THE WAR FOR THE UNION "Stand by me, and I'll stand by you." GEN. McCLELLAN]

Sunday, May 25th
1862
In a field on the road-
side 4 1/2 miles above Win-
chester on the Martinsburg
Turnpike--Bivouack of
Rockbridge Artillerty--1st Brigade--Army of the Valley

Mrs. Wm. M. Blackford
Lynchburg,
My Dear Mother
A kind and ever
merciful God has given us a signal
and most gratifying victory over that
portion of the army of invasion left
in this quarter.  I am further thankful
to be able to tell you that both Berke
ley and myself, after exposure to dangers
to which those at Kernstown were small,
are safe and well.  It is true Berkeley has
a bruise on his shoulder from a fragment
of shell which gives him some pain,though but
a very slight injury comparatively---

[page 2]
I am not well to day, owing to our re-
cent long marches, loss of rest Etc., and
cannot go into particulars as I would
like to do about the events of the
last 3 days which have been in the
highest degree creditable to the general-
ship of Jackson and the valour of his army.
In the battle at Front Royal Thursday Friday
evening the enemy's force was driven
off and all their shoes captured.  Be-
sides this there were taken from 5
to 800 prisoners--The 1st. Md. (Yankee)
Regt. was fairly met and captured by the
1st Md. (Confederate). This was extremely
gratifying to our Maryland soldiers &
is at once a singular coincidence and a
thing highly creditable to that gallant
command.  Yesterday the army pressed
on in two columns upon the enemy,
striking off by two different roads lea-
ding to the Valley Turnpike. They fled
incontinently leaving scores of wagons am-
bulances Etc. in the road and leaving

[page 3]
behind them every sign of a precipitous
flight. We pursued them the whole
afternoon down the Valley, taking the
pike at Middletown.  After night of course
our progress was of course very gradual.
I reserve all detailed accounts for
a future letter--About sunrise this morning we
went into action.  The engagement
lasted about 2 hours or 2 1/2, though
our battery was not in position
more than half this time.  Our
position was one of extraordinary
exposure and I believe our company
lost more than any other command
engaged.  We had from 20 to 25 killed
and wounded--Robert. McKim of Balt.
(Ran's first cousin) is killed--& a man
from Rockbridge named Agner--Jno. M.
Gregory, Jr. (son of Judge G. & an M.A. of the U-
niversity my year one of the best men) is thought
mortally wounded as well as several
others, I fear.  Some of our best men suffered
I shall send a detailed list of our casualties
to the Richmond Dispatch.

[page 4]
The enemy enfiladed the position of our
battery with rifled guns and had infantry
playing on us besides.  It was truly fearful.
the enemy
They ^ were finally routed in the completest
manner by a charge of Infantry and
went off at doublequick.  The
whole affair is decisive, and a
event of the Manassas type--
We shall probably have as the
result of the last 2 or 3 days
work not far short of 2000
prisoners-  Thanks be to God
for this victory!  The enemy's force
at Front Royal there probably did
not exceed 10,000 tho' I dont know exactly
Our reception as we dashed through
Winchester was enough to make a
man weep--It was as enthusiastic
as could be: no house but what was
vocal with congratulations: handkerchiefs
waving--C.S. flags flying etc.  More par-
ticulars as soon as I can write more fully
I have a great deal to tell.  Our spoils are
very large--Gen. Jackson the hero of the day.
hereabouts the troops very enthusiastic about him
L.M. Blackford

[cross hatched on the left side of page 4]
Charles Minor & Charles Trueheart safe
Berkeley sends his love to you all--A large force
of cavalry--several regts. perhaps--are in hot
pursuit of the Enemy.

MSS 4763