Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-06-07

The batteries of the Rebels are said to
have been well manned, and shot and shell
welc thrown with the greatest accuracy
Their guns were mainly riticd. Our own
artillery also did most excellent execution.
The left wing notwithstanding the unfor-
tunate position of the right, stood firm,
Gen. Banks adding to their determination
10y his constant presence. About halfpast
eight o'clock an order to retreat was given,
which was made in excellent order under a
heavy fire of shot and shell from the Rebel
battery on the hill, many of the deadly
missiles going through and riddling the
houses of their own friends. The Forty
sixth, in solid column and in perfect order,
marched through the street in Winchester
as if on dress parade. AS soon as the regi-
mcnt entered the town the street reechocd
with the shots discharged from the windows
of the dwellings. The destined attack upon
our troops was evidently well known by the
people Of Winchester, since no sooner had
the battle commenced than the windows
bristled with guns and pistols.
Whenever Union soldier was seen there
shot was fired. Not men only, but women
used with effect the deadly weapons
Accurate aim was not only taken by these
female ficnds, but large hand grenades were
thrown by them from windows, which, as
they burst, proved destructive to the lives
and limbs of our gallant men. The shots
were, of course, returned, and heads hero
and there were seen to suddenly disappear
below the sash.
When the Forty-sixth arrived at a point
just this side of the depot, they received a
volley from a regiment of Louisiana Tigers,
stationed some two hundred yards distant,
but did not return the fire, from prudential
motives Tho retreat thpO cpDtlpup1
Gordon's brigade being about half mile in
! advance on the left, and the remainder of
Donncly's about 4 mile to the right, the
Rebel battery which had been previously
engaged against our right having taken
position in the earthworks made by johnson
last summer, on the top of the hill, shelling
! our men as they moved forward.
About six miles this side of Winchester
an order TO halt was given, and the word
was passed that reinforcements from Gen.
Dix were within a short distance. Hearty
cheers We're given, and the spirits of all were
revived. The Rebels themselves, who were
following about two miles behind, were sur
prised and alarmed and came to a sudden
halt. The reiniOrcemcnts, however, did not
| come, and the retreat was recommended, tho
Rebels following and sheling until within
three miles of NIartnsburg. About three
reached Martinsburg, and passing immedi-
atey through marched up the pike to the
Potomac, opposite Williamsport. The troops
biyouackcd on the Virginia shore that
night, and on Monday crossed over in
| tcry-boat and two boats formerly used for a
| pontoon bridge.
| The Forty-siXth is now oncamped one mile
| from Willamsport, on the st. James College
| road. The men are naturally much tutigued,
| but are anxious and determined to return at
an carly day to Winchester and Strasburg
The events of Saturday and Sunday will
! be remembered by General Banks command
Not only did they march siXty-tive miles
| during the two days, without anything to
cat, save what could be picked up by the
roadside, but they fought one severe battle
and two engagements.
To specify individual acts of gallantry and.
/ bravery would be invidious, where all fought
so well. The field officers Of the Forty sixth
were ever in the thckcst of the fray and won
everlasting praise Col. Knipe received
slight flesh wound in the shoulder, and his
right pistol holster was the recipient of a
ball which, glancing, passed Immediately
under the Leg of the gallant rider. Lieut.
! Colonel Seltridgc made narrow escape, a
shell bursting in front of his horse, causing
the animal to fall, slightly bruising Colonel
C's leg.
The Major, Adjutant and in fact all, were
alike cool and brave. Captain s. a. Brooks
| of Company ID. the color company, received
ball through the skirt of his coat. Him.
self and his company are referred to in ex-
allied terms, as is, also, that of Capt Wise, of
Reading. Color-Sergeant James McQuillan
behaved nobly. While bearing the colors,
he was wounded by Mimic ball. in the calf
of the leg. For moment he dropped, and
then, with one hand raised above his head,
cheering his comrades, and with the other
waving the Stars and Stripes, he arose, and
apparently forgetting his wounds, marched
in the advance. The flag received two balls
Among the prisoners taken 10y the enemy
were Captain Cyrus Strausc, from Shamokin,
Northumberland county, and Lieutenant A.
w. Selfridge, of company II. from Bcthle-
hem. Both officers were engaged upon a
court-martial at Strasburg, and in attempt
! ing to join their regiment were cut off.
| The wounded in the engagement forgot
their wounds, in their patriotism. One poor
fellow, belonging to Company A. of the
Forty-siNth, with the top of his left hand
blown off by piece of shell, walked cody
along with his muskct trailing in his right,
until Col. knipe ordered him To the rear,
while another wounded in the calf of the
leg, walked twelve mites before he was COM
PEELED to succumb to his pain. Col Knipe
had previously given up his horse to a
wounded private, and Lieutenant Colonel
Seliridge had q few moments before done
likewise. Brigadier-Gencral (acting Major)
| Williams was passing at the moment, and
Immediately dismounting, made the private
take his place in the saddle, while he walked.
With such sympathy, such feeling, on the
part Of the officers, how could men fail to
fight we'll
The total loss of the Forty sixth up to the
present time. is as follows -
Killed Wounded Missing
Company 10
COmpanyB B Not rep Not rep.
| Company G