Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-01
about the hattie Of Winehester.

Winchester, is q private letter, written by
German member of Major Daum's bat
terry, to SIr. Augustus Pollack, of this city,
who has kindly translated it for our col.
umns: l3lil ~ ff1-ir ~
onthe evening Of the 22d Of March, the
writer states, opr outposts were surprised
outskirts of the town of Strasburg-the
main body of their troops, under jackson
aud Ashby, only a few miles of;-ad-
vancing to re-occnpy their old quarters at
Winchester, from which place our troops
under Banks, with the exception Of Shields
division, had left early on the morning of
the Same day. 'i-. - ,-.,,',
Lieut.. Co! Dhum, Chief of Artillery,
Immediately prepared one of his batteries
10 give the rebels warm welcome, and
soon thundered forth salute, which elic
tied on the part of the Confederates, quite
hearty response from a battery which
was meanwhile brought into position.
jackson now discovered his error. We
had not yet adopted the secession '.policy"
of evacuatiug; but nothing daunted lie
showed a disposition TO fight his way
through, s'if possible" Until night made
tho firing ineffective, the batteries had
been worked with terrible rapility, and
the messengers of death few with light
| ming speed from side TO side.
Gen. Shields, ] regret to state, at the
head of the left wing, was wounded, early
in the engagement-the same shot killing
one of our boys and two horses Each
fire spread havoc among the rebels, and
they soon retired. Our forces encamped
for the night outside OF Winchester, eager
for the fray of the next day.
About eight o'clock on the following
morning our intrepid Colonel; l.. O. Daum,
espied the enemy about three miles off, and
Immediately commenced the attack He
| goes into it with that boldness aud gusto
which eVinces the rueinspiration OF a just
cause. His old celebrated battery opened
the battle, and was soon followed by
| Clark's of the regular army, which, with
three other batteries were there Hnder his
command. The enemy's guns now too
belched forth their intention to Etake u
hand" in the engagement. gThe firing re-
ally was terrific, and well directed on both
sides, but the rebels could not stand the
well aimed "smashers" from Tenk (com-
manding Daum's battery,) aud Clarke
They were soon forced to change the posi-
tton of their batteries and plan of battle
Many of these poor deluded beings were
here hurled into eternity, with curse for
for JET. Davis mingled with their dying
groans. tar.4
Two guns Of battery B, Virginia artillery,
posted on a Commanding height mile dis
tant, splendidly covered the forces compos-
| ing the left wing, commanded by Col. Sui
Ivan of the 18th Indiana. The right was
equally well protected by an Ohio battery,
| placediin favorable position, andtwO 9TH
er batteries still remained in reserve.
| Since Shields was wounded, Col. KIM
ball, whose gallantEy and bravery certain
ly entitled him to the distinction, COM
manded under his direction. The engage
meRt soon became general, and the day
furnished another evidence for history that
Iiour fighting material is reliable-the best
volunteer soldiery in the world.
During the entire morning the artillerr,
lists had worked their guns necessarily,
spreading dismay andtterror in Jackson's
columns. In.
) Lieuts. Tenk and Clark deserve especial
notiee1their firing can scarcely be excelled
Sanywhere. Their stern messengers adsi
lmonished the rebels with iron sternness, to
fall, TO scatter, to widen their ranks, and
these orders we're all obeyed4 Yet the enc
lmy's guns were well handled many of
our brave fellows sunk, to say nompre Of
their effectiveness in this world, but aveng-
ed they were. Our infantry told them
| that blue-bellied Yankees do not only
Emanntacture muskets to sell them, but
\ understand equally we'll how 70 use them
Few cartridges were wasted. The enemy
finding tae position too hot, attempted a
manoeHer to turn our right. wing, which
was timely discovered and frustrated by
Lieut., Col. Danm, changing position of his
battery under Tenk, which was carried out
under cover of the woods entirely uuob-
lseryed by the enemy. Jackson's forces
some 5000 sttoug advanced ip body
steadily aud majestiEAllys unconscious Of
i the door prepared for them, up to Tenk's
battery, served by what q Gem Price terms
4 d-d Dutch artillerists, aud there met 2 Ee=
ception that beggars description, every gnn
spitfire and perdition with such magic
.lauiokness among this ili.fated mass OF
lHnmah beings aud horsesj which fell. back
dowhsunder rain Of shot utterly routed,
and what was left retired panic stricken
4 aud disgusted at this outrage and the sue
cess Of aheir flank manever. Rtderless
horses came into our lines from all direc-
tions, no longer desirohs to- give aid aud
e6mfottito the rebels Immediately after
this desperateTepulse, the rebels planted a
battery on the brow OF q hill commanding
4 our positiOn. Lieut.. Ool. Daum now dis
rected Tenk's, Clark Ind hat ttery B. 70 dis.
lodge, them and hurried to Col. Kimballi
suggesting the turaing of the left flank Of
\ the Snemyis lines. TO car ptnre this battery,
IA request to leadG the NECESSARY forces
Eagaiust it was readily granted by KfmbalI
and like dart Danm galloped to the linel
begged Tyler OF Ohio, commandiug the
ffkht wing at once to lead his men around
1.-THE hill and attack the enemy in the rear
which was Immediately under cover of oul
artillery and successfully carried out. Or
hearing the rattle Of musketry the batter.