lley, to
prevent Shields from crossing that branch of the Shenandoah, and now
came, much to our satisfaction, to take charge of the rear. He proceeded
to pay his respects to our friends, and soon took them off our hands. We
remained an hour to rest the men and give Ashby time to make his
dispositions, then moved on.

Before sunset heavy clouds gathered, and the intense heat was broken by
a regular downpour, in the midst of which we crossed the bridge over the
west branch of the Shenandoah--a large stream--at Mount Jackson, and
camped. There was not a dry thread about my person, and my boots would
have furnished a respectable bath. Notwithstanding the flood, Tom soon
had a fire, and was off to hunt forage for man and beast. Here we were
less than ten miles from Newmarket, between which and this point the
army was camped. Jackson was easy about Massanutten Gap. Shields must
march south of the mountain to reach him, while the river, just crossed,
was now impassable except by bridge.

We remained thirty-six hours in this camp, from the evening of the 2d
until the morning of the 4th of June--a welcome rest to all. Two days of
light marching carried us thence to Harrisonburg, thirty miles. Here
Jackson quitted the pike leading to Staunton, and took the road to Port
Republic. This village, twelve miles southeast of Harrisonburg, lies at
the base of the Blue Ridge, on the east bank of the Shenandoah. Several
streams unite here to form the east (locally called south) branch of
that river; and here too was the only bridge from Front Royal south, all
others having been destroyed by Ashby to prevent Shields from crossing.
This commander was pushing a part of his force south, from Front Royal
and Luray, on the east bank.

The army passed the night of June 5 in camp three miles from
Harrisonburg toward Port Republic. Ewell's division, which I had
rejoined for the first time since we met Jackson, was in rear; and the
rear brigade was General George Stewart's, composed of one Maryland and
two Virginia regiments. My command was immediately in advance of
Stewart's. Ashby had burnt the bridge at Mount Jackson to delay Fremont,
and was camped with his horse in advance of Harrisonburg. The road to
Port Republic was heavy from recent rains, causing much delay to trains,
so that we did not move on the morning of the 6th. Early in the day
Fremont, reenforced from Banks, got up; and his cavalry, vigorously led,
pushed Ashby through Harrisonb