June 1 — This morning we renewed our march up the Valley. Near Strasburg we went in position on a commanding hill northwest of town. On top of the hill was a strong redoubt surrounded and protected by an abatis, that was constructed by General Banks’ troops a few weeks ago. We had occupied the hill but a few moments before we heard the boom of a cannon in the direction of Cottontown, a small hamlet in a northwestern course and about six miles from Strasburg.
It was the van of General Fremont approaching us from the mountains of West Virginia. Their objective point was Strasburg, with the intent to intercept Jackson’s retreat up the Valley. Immediately after we heard the first gun we received orders to move in the direction of the opening fight. After we had proceeded about a mile the order was countermanded, and we returned to the pike and moved to Fisher’s Hill, where we remained until sunset.
Late this evening I saw a heavy skirmish line advancing on Strasburg from the east, which was the advance guard of Shields’s army approaching from Front Royal.
Our infantry fell back slowly on the Cottontown road from before Fremont’s advance, not, however, before the last of Jackson’s wagons and men were on the safe side of Strasburg. Just about the same time that Shields’s skirmish line advanced from the east I saw Fremont’s men coming in from the northwest. But it was too late. The Rebel game had made its escape, for the last man, wagon, and sign of Jackson’s army had already slipped through the jaws of the closing vice like a greased rat.
It was dusk when we left Fisher’s Hill. We had fixed to camp at the Four Mile House, four miles from Strasburg, but received orders after dark to move to Tom’s Brook, six miles from Strasburg.
