to use these forces in an attack upon the Valley for the purpose
of seizing, fortifying and holding Winchester , and thus
dominating all of northeastern Virginia , and at the same time
threatening Johnston 's position at Manassas These intentions of
the enemy were speedily frustrated by Jackson , when, on the 1st
of January, 1862, a bright and pleasant day, his army started
for Bath , near the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. The
army consisted of his own old brigade, commanded by Gen. R. B.
Garnett , the three brigades under Loring , a part of the
militia, five batteries, and most of Ashby 's regiment of
cavalry, the whole numbering about 9,000 men. This movement
against Bath , if successful, would disperse the enemy at
Hancock , destroy communication between General Banks on the
east and General Kelley on the west, and by threatening the
latter's rear, force him to evacuate Romney or contend with a
superior force. Before the first day ended a cold storm set in
from the northwest, the beginning of a pr