Newbern weekly progress., 1862-06-21
0mciaE Esis;,sstcs, from Gen. F2an'

Not bad shot considering the result
OEciaE G9isssat Ga GrGzas SEN. Bank
RELATIVE 10 THE RETREAT FROM TEE SHI
NANDoAH VALLEY.
Headquarters, Armay Mennm1oah.-Re
of the march of the First Division, Fifth CorH
dArmeo, from Strasburg, Va, to Williams
port, Nd, on the 24th and 25th days of Ma
1862
TEe Eta1s!e of SVigeAeseer.
The strength and purpose of the enemy I'd
to Us unknown when we reached Winchestsi
except upon snrtnise and vague ru,aOrs frol
Front Royal. These rumors were strengthen
ed b. the vi~or with which the ener.y haI
pressed our main column, and defeated 1T ey
cry point efforts Of detachments to effect
junction with the main, column.
At Winchester, however, all suspicion wa
realized On the subject; all classes-secessjori
lists, unionists, refugees, fugitives and priso5
ers-argued that the euemy's force at or ned
VI Ninchs sic s.]izlI2siEsg, ranging, f.oa
%, 900 to so, coo. Rebel officers who came IA
to our camp with entire unconcern, suppesiia
that their own troops occupied the town as
matter Of course, and We're captured confirm
ed these statements, and added that an attadi
would be made upon us at daybreak. | detcr
mined to test the substance and strength 8
the enemy by actual collision, and neasurd
were promptly taken to prepare our troops Z
meot them. They had taken up their pos.torr
or entering the town after dark, without eS
pectations of q battle, and were at djsad Tan
tage as compared with the eneDay.
The rattljng Of musketry was heard during
the latter part Of the night, and before tIN
break Of day. sharp enga gement occurred &
the outposts. Soon after four o'clock the a 4
tillery opened its fire which was contnuek
without cessation till the close Of the cn2age
mcnt.
The right Of our line was occupied By tlp
Sd brigade, Col. George Ii. Gordon, coInmand
ing. The regiments were strongly posted AMI
near the centre, covered by stone walls lroa
the fire Of the enemy. The infantry open b
on the right, and soon both lines were unds
heavy fire.
The left vas occupied by ths Sd brigade Cd
Dudley Donnelly, commanding. The line " =
weak com mpsaueD saiaEs 1ff ey, but Il y
troops were posted and patiently WAITED, q
they nsbly improved their coming opp0rtuni |
ty. The earliest movements Of the sneur
were on our left, two regiments being seen
move as with the purpose of occupying t9
position in Hank Or rear. Gen. Hatch sent I
detachment Of cavalry to intercept this nove
ment, when it was apparently abaudoncd / A
enemy suffered very serious loss from the Fl &
OF our infantry the left. One regiment i
represented by persons present during the &C
ton, and after the field was evacuated, q
nearly destroyed.
The main body Of the enemy vas h;dd u
durisg the early part of the 2ction by g
crest Of the hill and the woods ii the rear.
Their force was massed apparently upon I'd
right, and their rnanoeugres indicated 4 pt1
pose to turn is upon the BerryviIIe red 1
where, it appeared subsequently,, they ID
placed considerable force, with : view OF pr
venting renforcenents trcm i1arper's Ferr3
But the steady fire of our lines i3eid them
check until a small portion of the troops >
tho right Of our line made a movement to @
rear. 1t is bat just to add that this was Co
under the erroneous impression that an ord
to Withdraw had been given. No sooner v
this observed by the enemy than its regmerh
swar;Gcd upon the crest Of the hill adyancn
from the weeds upon our right, which still cdr
tiEung its fire steadily, withdrew towards g
town.
The overwhelming force Of the enemy, nd
suddenly showing itself, making further resi-
ance unwise, orders were sent to the left, b
Captain DeHauteyillc, to withdraw, which V
done reluctantly, but in order, the enemy ha4
ing greatly suffered ia that wing. port 8
of the troops passed through the town in som
confusioa, but toe column was soon refoFniQ
and continued its march in order.
This engagement held the enemy in chse
for five hours.
The forces engaged were greatly uneqcA
IndiSposed TO accept the early runners concei I
ing the enetny's strength, [ reported to =
depa1 tment that it was about u, 600. / E.
now conclusively shown that not less Ii
%, 600 men we're in position and would ha i
been brought into action. On the right =
left their great superiority of numbers W
plainly felt and seen; the signal officers frea
elevated positions were enabled. to cougt Il
regimental standards, indicating sfrs.ng
equal to that | have stated. u q
My own command consisted Of two briga Y
eI less than 1900 men all told, with nine ~