.ODA.MjEyMDI
1st
Ewell's Division at Front Royal
It had been raining the day before we advanced to Front
Royal but on the day of our advance it was warm & sunny.
Genl Jackson had originally intended our Division to en-
ter the village by the "grade" or "ridge road" which ran
along the first branch of the mountains, while the rest
of the Army should go straight down the "River road." But he
finally concluded just as we arrived at the forks of the
road (where a cross-road led from the river-road on which
we were to the other) to take the same route with all.
Cavalry scouts reported that the pickets of the enemy
were in sight, when we were two miles from Front Royal.
The 1st Maryland Regt was given the advance & Wheat's
Batt'y ordered to support it. Then Taylor's Trimble's & Elzey's
Brigades came with the artillery of each Brigade
in its rear. The 1st Maryland drove in the enemy's
pickets & became engaged with the 1st Md Yankee
Regt, which on being charged by it & Wheats Tigers [whom?]
he had rushed to the front as soon as firing commenced
broke & retreated in confusion – so closely followed as to
be unable to burn the bridge. It had begun to catch when
Major Wheat himself rode across it & through the fire
which he scattered. The enemy had two Parrott
