CHAPTER IV.
Pursuit of Jackson—The "Long" March—Fredericksburg to Front Royal—March to Waynesboro.
At early dawn on the morning of March 24th the
Union army pushed forward in pursuit of the retreating
rebels. The Twenty-ninth deployed as skirmishes in
the advance. Many wounded Confederates were found
in private houses along the line of march. About noon
the dashing rebel cavalry officer Ashby came from cover
and suddenly swooped down upon the regiment with
aheavy cavalry force. Rallying by companies and
forming squares, a well directed volley soon sent
the rebels in haste to the rear. The pursuit of
the fleeing rebels was continued until nightfall, when
the regiment went into bivouac near Cedar creek. The
next morning (25th) our columns again pushed forward
until reaching a point a little in advance of Strasburg,
where a halt was ordered and a camp (Kimball,) established.
Here we remained for some time, making frequent
raids into the surrounding country and skirmishing
almost daily with the enemy.
April 1st the regiment again moved after the retreating army, and about daylight on the following morning indulged in some artillery firing with the rebel rear guards. During the month of April the regiment marched up the valley as far as Newmarket, passing the towns of Woodstock and Mount Jackson. At the latter place a hospital was established, and companies G and E were detailed for provost, and other duties, in and
