The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-04-18
The Battle of Winchester,

FRIEND CONVERSE
am not dead. but my coat is riddled
with bullets, was in the hottest OF the
fyht. have had many narrow escapes,
but. God be praised, am unhurt,
During the fore part Of the afternoon OF
the 23l of March, we had been support
ing the artillery, but, at 3 o'clock p. NJ,
they opened from heavy battery on our
extreme right, the shells bursting thick
and fast around our heads. 1t became
evident that this battery must be taken.
Soon after Col. Tyler rode up, and said
we were ordered to take it. The boys ali
but l felt that / was about to
perform a painful duty. We moved by
the right fl INK Tor a considerable distance,
behind piece Of woods, thus turning the
left flank of the rebel battery, when we
formed into column by divisions. It fell
to my lot to command the second divis-
ion, assisted by Lieut.. Mcclellan, who
did his duty well. Capt. Asper was in
command OF the first. At first we moved
silently and slow, but, as soon as their
sharp. shooters opened upon us, the order
was given 10 charge, when we rushed
forward upon the enemy. At the same
time. we received a shower OF grape and
canister from lhe battery; but, notwith-
standing, we pressed forward. When
within one hundred yards of their lines,
we received most terrific fire of mus
ketrv from our front and flanks, All, as
If by one common impulse, came to a halt.
Here three Of my blavest boys fell dead
by my side. We were then ordered to
deploy on first division. | tried TO ex.
ecule the order, but found it impossible
under so heavy fire. could hardly
make the man nearest me hear, The
bullets came so thick they blinded me-
Seeing slight elevation Of ground few
yards ahead OF me, waved my sword, 4,
and called TO my Company TO follow me.
They did follow, and / tell you l was
proud of them,
We reached the hill. Others reached
there about the same time. And now
the fight began in earnest. Our Regi-
ment sustained the fight alone for con-
siderable time, until other Regiments de-
ployed to our left. Neither party gave
an inch for three long hours. TIE roar
of musketry and artillery was deafening.
AS the sun was setting, its last CLEANS
contrasting and mingling with the fash
ing of muskets, the Rebels began 10 give
way, and, as darkness settled on the bat
tie. field, the rout became general. We
had no disposition to pursue them, but,
quietly gathering the remainder Of our
boys around us, we formed in column Of
Companies. and marched over the ground
which the Rebels held during the engage
ment, 10 a small bill, where we lay on the
ground till morning, surrounded by the
dead and dying, ready TO resume the
work OF death in the morning. But the
victory was complete; the Rebels had no
disposition to renew the contest. The
rear guard. after giving us few parting
rounds OF shell, retreated. We followed
them TO Cedar Creek that day, skrmish.
ing at intervals. .....
On the morning Of Tuesday we entered
the village OF Strasburg. We could track
their ambulances to Slrasburg by the blood
in the road, and we frequently found
large pools. Many houses on the way
were found filed with the Rebel dead
and dying. We also found many new
made grave. On Monday and Tuesday.
during their retreat, our shells killed
many of them. A shell passed entirely
through the body OF our poor fellow, and af-
terward exploded, killing three others
and wounting one.
The loss in our Regiment was 10 killed
and 58 wouded. Some OF the latter af,
terward died. 1t is curious fact that
most of the Rebels were shot in the head /,
thus anesting the superiority Of our
marksman.
The rebels were behind a stone wall
and in a thlcket, and We on an undulating
piece Of ground covered by a sparse
growth OF timber. We had but very little
cover, ana they as good as they could de-
sire. Our force on the field did not ex
ceed 1000, while that Of the Rebels wa:
not less than 10000, and 90 pecs of ar.
lillery, some of heavy ca!ibre. We had
but 96 pieces of artillery, and nothing
but ordinary fed pieces. They had an
effective force OF cavalry, and we had not
You see they were superior in numbers
besides having the choice OF ground
Their loss is not less than 800 killed and
500 wounded. and 800 prisoners.
think we shall have another desperate
fight in this valley, but when or where
cannot say. Cannopading is gong on al
the time. We are getting SO we minC
but liltle about it. 1t has been our music
for four weeks. l do not think Jackson
is within ! 5 miles Of us.
l see Gen. Banks every day. lik,
his appearance. He dresses plainly, anC
is very courteous in his conduct TOWARD
officers and men. In consequence,in part
OF the cannonading. it has rained here al
most every day. 1t rained very soon al
ter the battle Of Winchester.
Very truly,
GEO. L WOOD.
---- ---.ar---