The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-06
Gen. Banks Retreat.

The following is tho Tribunc's account Of
the retreat Of Gen. Banks:
Further details Of the retreat Of General
Banks and the engagement at Winchester
show that the Union forces consisted Of only
seven infantry regiments, few squadrons OF
cavalry, and an imperfect supply Of artillery.
At the time Of the attack on Front Royal,
Col. Donnellys brigade, consisting Of the
10th Pennsylvania, the 18th New York, and
the 9Th Connecticut regiments, was stationed
six miles south west of Snasburg. Upon
learning the news OF our disaster, orders were
issued TO fall back to Winchester.
Early on Saturday morning this brigade
reached Strasburg, where it was Joined by
that Of Gen. Gordon, commanding the I'd
Mass, Goth Penn, 9th Ind. and Sd Wis.
regiments. Wajor Gen. Williams directed
the two brigades. the entire command being
under Gen. Banks, who assumed control at
Stra.burg. On reaching a point six miles
north OF Strasburg, the column was inter
cepted by a force of rebel cavalry, which
burst upon il from the woods at the side OF
the road. The 4th Penn, which was in adj
vance, at once charged upon the enemy, and
drove him ahead for four miles, after which
he took to the woods again aud disappeared,
leaving two killed and one wounded. From
that time until Winchester was reached there
was no interference.
Saturday night Donnelly's brigade biyou-
acked on the Front Royal road, while Cor
don's held tho Strasburg road, little out
side the town. The rebels were in hot pur-
suit, and their skirmishers came up soon after
our troops. There were contests between the
pickets all night. On Sunday morning the
position of our troops was taken, Gordon
holding the right and Donnelly the left
The rebels attacked at l-2 o'clock. Our
signal officers counted % infantry regiments,
to which we could only oppose seven.
The first desperate struggle was between
North Carolina regiment and the 10th Penn,
the latter being surprised by the rebels, who
were however driven back with great impet-
uosity. The entire left wing held its own,
against overwhelming odds, until the RICH
wing was forced to give way. A bayonet
charge was made by more than twice our
entire numbers upon Gordon's brigade
Three Of its regiments stood firm, but the
9th Indiana broke and ran, after which our
flank WIS exposed. Our artillery also re.
treated in great haste, whether by order or
not does not yet appear. Gen. Banks was
in fact nearly surrounded. Stuart's rebel
cavalry had charged through Winchester. IN
the rear of our force, and had reused the In
habitants to take part against us. After
fighting four hours Gen. Banks gave the
word to retreat. In passing through Win.
chester our men were fired upon by the pop
ulace from almost every house. Women and
children joined in the onslaught. General
Banks narrowly escaped being shot from On
open doorway. Our rear guard was pursued
by the enemy's cavalry at u distance OF only
200 yards. A short distance north OF VIM
chester, however, the pursuit was relaxed,
and the rebels allowed u distance OF about
two miles to BIO pat between themselves and
us. With this slight intervening space they
followed on, Smelling our troops continu.
ously. until within three miles OF Martins
burg. They then, about 3 o'clock on Sum
day afternoon, halted, while Gen. Banks
pushed onward, reaching the banks OF the
Potomac by nightfall. In the morning they
crossed in ierry-boats to Williainsport.
The entire retreat, Of 65 miles, was per.
formed in two days, including the time occu-
pied in battling the enemy. During all those
hours our men were unproyded with rations,
the commissary stores having been destroyed
south OF Strasburg. Their only subsistence
was what they could gather at hazard by the
way.
The heroism Of the action has not been
surpassed during this war. Much was due
to tho rcsolute and undaunted spirit OF the
officers. Gen. Banks was perpetually in the
thickest OF the engagement. During the re-
treat he was always at the rear, and he was
OF the last party to cross the Potomac into
Maryland. Incidents Of individual hcroism
are recounted OF every regiment, OF almost
every company engaged. The circumstances
of the battles fought were peculiarly peril
Gus. The smallness of Gen. Banks COM
mand prevented the possibility of holding a
force in reserve. Every regiment was actu-
ally engaged, and there is no record of any
ninching, except in the case of the 9th Ind
lana and n part of the cavalry engaged.