History: Anatomy of an attack Part I - Jackson takes Bath

Bath was held by a small Federal force when Thomas J. Jackson's men approached it on January 3rd 1862. Elements of the 39th Illinois had been occupying Bath. As Jackson moved on it, they were re-enforced by the 84th Pennsylvania and 13th Indiana. Jackson had a much larger force and the

Major General Thomas J. Jackson successfully
re-captured Bath and Romney during the campaign
in January 1862.

Federals were compelled to retreat.

In the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion Volume 5, Jackson outlines the activities of the Valley District (Augmented by Loring's Army of the Northwest) during the Bath-Romney Campaign.  He highlights the role of two militia brigades (Carson and Meem) which crossed Warm Springs Mountain to attack Bath from the West, as the rest of his force moved northward towards the town.  He mentions a skirmish with a small force of the enemy, resulting in the capture several of them.  Jackson was unable to take the town on the January 3rd.

Gilbert S. Meem was one of the militia
commanders that advanced on Bath from
the west side of Warm Springs Mountain.

Jackson's account of January 4th starts to show his frustration with the troops under his command. He refers to Loring's unnecessary stops at the head of the column, which became one of the charges he brought against Loring in the Loring-Jackson Incident. Although he does not state it directly, Jackson's account makes it appear that he may have taken control of the situation and circumvented Loring.

Jackson wasn't satisfied with Col. William Gilham's
performance during his advance on the Sir Johns Ru
Depot. After the campaign, Gilham went back to teaching
at the Virginia Military Institute. 

Jackson then relates how the enemy fled before his forces, particularly the enemy cavalry that routed so quickly that his own cavalry could not keep up with them. Jackson's frustration against Loring is
again clear, as he goes to the front with the cavalry as it entered Bath (apparently leaving Loring behind). Jackson even personally went to the road to Sir Johns Run Depot, to "prevent Colonel Gilham (one of Loring's brigade commanders) from missing the way to the depot."  Jackson was not satisfied with Gilham's performance during his advance on the Sir John's Run Depot. (He would prepare court martial charges against him for it.)

In the end, Jackson took Bath and ultimately sent some shells into Hancock. He achieved one of his objectives, taking Bath, with minimal loss, but was obviously not pleased with the troops under his command. Although he does not mention it in his report of the campaign, multiple sources indicate that Loring and even Garnett (commanding Stonewall Brigade) had stopped their columns so that the men could draw rations and eat. Robert G. Tanner's Stonewall in the Valley gives the following account (p. 69):

"I have halted to let the men cook their rations," offered Garnett

Stonewall glowered,  "There is not time for that."

"But it is impossible for the men to march further without them," the brigadier objected.

Stonewall repeated his orders and growled, "I have never found anything impossible with these men."

Jackson's popularity with the men under his command sank to extremely low levels. By the time they reached Romney (and took another objective) morale was so low that Jackson was unable to continue the campaign. Winter campaigns are no easy matter!