Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-06-05


to ascertain the position of the T
enemy behind us. Ii had no result in ac- q
the object which was intended, I
and they immediately commenced their re |
treat toward Wine hester. When amile be- {
yond Cedar Greek they met stampede !
among the baggage wagons.
After tho affair previously described, in
which the Maine and Vermont cavalry suf-
fured so severely, the enemy turned back up
on the baggage train which was between
them ut Strasburg and caused the greatest
confusion which can be imagined. The wa.
CONS, some Of them were turned about and {
running against others broken down, filling I
up the roads, while the mules and horses
and cattle remaining in the greatest fright,
produced an indescribable state Of confusion.
The cavalry finding the road to Winches-
ter thus barricaded both by wagons and an
enemy, had no other alternative than to
turn their horses toward Strasburg
They had crossed Cedar Creek, and taken
with them the Xouaves d. Alri1ue, whom
they found upon the bridge A fine of bat
tie was then formed, the Xouaves forming
in the rear.
A battery was also there which they were
supporting This. was placed in position,
and shells were thrown into the woods be-
yond AS soon as the battery commenced
| firing the rebel skirmishcrs commenced to ad-
vance with yells OF defiance, pouring volloys
Of musketry upon US, and very soon bat
terry responded to ours.
Two companies of cavalry were now drawn
up on each sido of the battery, and one in
the rear with the intention of making a
charge. 1t soon became obvious that the
enemy were there in strong force, and they
knew we had no infantry.
Major Sawyer, Of Vermont cavalry, spoke
to his colonel of a mountain road
Il Had they now commenced the charge
they would doubtless have been all cut to
pieces like the others, aud been forced to
surrender.
Col remson, not knowing the road him
self, ordored the Major, il he were acauaint-
! ed with 1t, to lead them through
The Major undertook the task. The cav
: airy was led back toward Strasburg, recross-
Q ing Cedar Greek, and there so closely were
Q they rursued that another line of battle wa.
: formed. The enemy obtained the range
very accurately, and shells fell so rapidly
@ that they again retreated.
$ Col. DcForrcst, with the New York cav
. airy, was soon met, and inquired Of Col
j Tomson his Intentions who said hc was go
ing to retreat by the mountain road and
@ they afterwards proceeded together, taking
n a course through the forests and fields whicl
l. seemed to lead in the direction of the roa,
for which they were seeking. Soon the,
. reached it.
;, Col. Tompkins remained some time /,
y Strasburg to direct the planting of a batter,
near the Notifications erected there, ba
q soon left and took tic woods for the roa,
J. along the mountains.
e The whole force of cavalry were soon NJ
e the mountain road, and were proceeding
If finely, recrossing Cedar creek again. an,
m moving rapidly toward Winchester.
r. At il or twelve o'clock at night they ar
ID rived in town, relieving the anxiety that
Of had been felt for them, who it was suppos
Q, ed had been cut off and captured
he An hour later the enemy lines extcnde
~ as far as the mountain
r, Early upon the following morning tn
enemy attacked our two brigadcs -seve
H. regiments, containing 5000 men.
es There is a ridge extending along the we.
I'd of the town, and along the side of this on
ht infantry was placcd-Gordon brigade uI
at on the right and Donnelly' s upon the left
of The enemy occupied position where thel
n, were woods in the rear, with riHc-pits an
u batteries in front of Gordon's Brigade NJ
GO more than half n mile distant.
er When General Banks came out the cent?
was felt to be too much Weakened still
Mt was feared that the enemy would attempt
m flank our right, which was, in consequen,
strengthened by the removal of regimen
ut from the lett.
es The enemy advanced, firing along the hill
yn and soon from two directions, poured
US yolloy after volley upon us with shot au
shell from their batteries.
mt The whole air of the plain to tho Soutl
In L.