From the Desk of
Edwin C. Bearss
“McDowell – Arguably the most important battle in
Jackson’s masterful 1862 Campaign.”
Jackson gets authority from General Lee – military advisor to the new president who
overrules Johnston and orders Ewell to leave the Piedmont to meet with Jackson near
Conrad’s Store. Jackson then leaves the Valley, marches to Mechum’s River Station
where he uses the Virginia Central Railroad to return to the Valley at Staunton on the
5th of May.
Reinforced by all of Johnson’s brigade, Jackson follows the Staunton and Parkersburg
turnpike and defeats Union forces at the battle of McDowell on the 8th day of May.
He then pursues the Union forces – part of Fremont’s Command – forcing them to
retreat all the way to Franklin.
Jackson having nullified Fremont’s advance, returns to the Valley, meets with Ewell
at Natural Bridge and orders Ewell to return to Conrad’s store. From Conrad’s Store
Ewell will detach Taylor’s Brigade to join Jackson at New Market. Ewell in the
meantime from his position at Conrad Store has paralyzed Bank’s army which had
reached Harrisonburg.
Jackson crosses the Massanutten at New Market gap and is joined by Ewell at Luray
and Jackson moves down the Page Valley (Luray) to strike the Union forces and route
them at Front Royal. Meanwhile, paralyzed by Confederate Cavalry, Banks falls all
the way back to Strasburg. On the 25th Jackson and Ewell strike Bank’s at Winchester
and route him, driving Banks’ army in wild retreat across the Potomac River at
Williamsport.
Jackson has just paralyzed the three Union armies that he has been contending with.
So frightened was President Lincoln that he cancelled General McDowell’s march,
then underway from Fredericksburg to join General McClellan who was closing in on
Richmond.
Thus, the battle of McDowell, has set the stage for Jackson to march to Richmond,
join General Lee, and in the 7 days battle drives McClellan’s men back from the gates
of Richmond to the cover of an entrenched camp at Harrison’s Landing
Edwin C. Bearss