on may 8, jackson's forces attacked milroy's union forces at mcdowell. it was a union tactical victory because the union forces had fewer casualties than jackson's forces. but it was a strategic victory for jackson because the union forces withdrew back across the allegheny mountains ending the threat. jackson returned to the shenandoah valley and decided that his and ewell's command would now deal with banks. in turn, banks anticipated jackson's move and asked permission to leave strasburg and move north, but it was denied. earlier, on may 1, lincoln had ordered one of banks' divisions to join the union forces at fredericksburg under general mcdowell. this weakened banks's forces but he believed jackson had left the valley. on learning milroy had been driven back at mcdowell, banks sent his 1st maryland infantry division to front royal, virginia (about 12 miles to the east) to protect his left flank.