Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-06-10

artillery and cavalry, fell back to Strasburg,
where they found the Zouayes D'Afrlque. The
5th New York, failing to effect junction ut
Winchester, aud also at Martnsburg, came in
at Clear Spring with n train of thirty 1--WE
wagons and many stragglers. The lst Vermont,
Col. Tompkins, Joined US ut Winchester with six
pieces of artillery, and participated in the fight
of uext morning. Nothing could surpass the
celebrity and spirit with which the various com
panes of cavalry executed their movements, or
their intrepid charges upon the enemy.
Den. Hatch deserves great credit for The man
ner 10 which he discharged his duties ns chief
Of cavalry in this part of our march, ms well ns
at the fight at Winchester, and in covering the
rear of our column to the river; but especially
for the spirit infused into his troops during the
brief period of his command, which, by confess
sion Of friend and foe, had been equal, If not
superior, to the best Of the enemy's long trained
mounted troops.
From this point the protection Of the rear of
the column deyolyed upon the forces under Col
Gordon.
THE THIRD COMBAT.
The guard having been separated from the
column, and the rear Of the train having been
attacked by IN increased force near the bridge
between Newtown and Kernstown, Col. Gordon
was directed to send back the ID Massachusetts,
Lieut. Col. Andrews, commanding, the 27th In
diaua Col. Coigrove, and the 18th New York,
Lieut. Col. Brown, to rescue the rear Of the
train aud hold the enemy in check They found
him ut Newtown, with strong force of Infantry,
artillery and cavalry.
The I'd Massachusetts, was deployed in the
field, supported by the 2Sth New York and the
9th indiana, aud ordered to drive the enemy
from the town md the battery was at the same
time SO placed Hs 10 silence the guns OF the
enemy.
Both these objects were quickly accomplished
They found it impossible to reach Middletown,
50 ns to enable the cavalry under uen. Hatch to
Join the column, or cover entirely the rear of the
train. Large bodies Of the enemy's cavalry
passed upon our right and left, and the increased
vgor Of his movements demonstrated the rapid
advance of the main body. cavalry charge
made upon our troops was received ia squares
on the right and on the road, and in the line of
the left, which repelled his assault and gained
time to reform the tran to cover it's rear and
to burn the disabled wagons. This affair occu-
pied several hours, the regiments having moved
10 the rear about six O'Clock, and not reaching
the town until after twelve. full report by
Col Gordon, who commanded in person, is en-
closed herewith The principol loss of the II
! Massachusetts, occnrVed ia this action
THE FidnT AT wINuHEsTgR.
The strength and purpose of the enemy was to
US unknown when we reached Winchester, ex
cept upon surmise and vague rumors from Front
| Royal. These rumOrs were strengthened by the
vgor with which the enemy had pressed our
main column, and defeated at every point efforts
of detachments to effect junction with the main
column.
At Winchester, however, ali suspicion was
realized on the subject all classes secession
lists, unionsis, refugees, fngitves and prison
ers-areued that the enemy's force at or near
Winchester was overwhelming, ranging from
% 900 to 10000. Rebel officers who came into
| our camp with entire nncoucern, suppOsing that
their own troops occupied the town as matter
of course, aHd were captured, confirmed these
statements and added that an attack would be
mnde upon us at daybreak. l determined to
test the substance aud strength of the enemy by
actual collision, and measures were promptly
taken to prepare our troops to meet them. They
had taken up their positions on entering the
town alter dsrk, without expectations Of bat
tie, and were at disadvantage as compared with
the enemy
The rattling of musketry was heard during
the latter part of the night and before the break
of day sharp engagement occurred at the olt
posts. Soon after four o'clock the artillery
opened its fire, which was continued without
cessation till the close of the engagement
The right of our line was occupied by the 81
brigade, Col. George II. Gordon. commanding
The regiments were strongly posted and nenr
the centre, covered by stone walls from the fire
| of the enemy. The infantry opened on the right,
and soon both lines were under heavy fire
The left was occupied by the 3d brigade, Col
Dudley Dounelly, commanding The line was
weak compared with that of the entmy, but the
troops were posted and patiently awaited, ns
/ they DOby improved, their coming opportunity
The earliest movements of the enemy were GU
our left, two regiments being seen 10 move as
with the purpose oI occupying II position in
| flank or rear. Gen, Hatch sent a detachment o I
cavalry to intercept this movement when it was
apparently abandoned The enemy suffered
very serious loss from the fire of our infantry on
the left. One regiment is represented by per
cons present during the action, and after the field
was evacuated as nearly destroyed.
The main body of the enemy was hidden du.
ring the early part of the action by the crest Of
the nil and the woods in the Iear.
Their force was massed apparently upon our
right, and their man~uvres indicated purpose
to turn us upon the Berryville road, where, ii
appeared subsequently, they had placed con
siderable force, with IA view of preventing rein
forcemeuts from Harper's Ferry. But the
steady fire of our lines held them u check until
small portion of the troops on the right of our
line mnde a movement to the rear. 1t il but
just 10 add that this was done under the errone-
Gus impression that an order to withdraw had
been given No sooner was this observed by the
enemy than its regiments swarmed upon the
crest of tie hill, advancing from the woods
upon our right, which, utlll continuing its fire
steadily, withdrew towards the town.
The overwhelming force of the enemy, now
suddenly showing itself, making further resist
auce nnwise, orders were sent TO the left by
Captain De llauievie, to withdraw which was
done reluetGntly, put in order, the enemy hav-
ing greatly suffered in that wing A portion OF
the troops passed through the town in some con.
fusion, but the column was soon reformed and
continued its march in order,
Tuis engagement held the enemy in check for
five hours.
The forces engaged were greatly unequal
lndisposed to accept the early iumors concern
ing the enemy's strength, reported to the de-
partment that it was about $4,000. 1t is now
conclusiyely shown that not less than 20 900 men
were in position und would have been brought
into action On the right aud left their great
superiority of numbers were plainly felt and
seen the signal officers from elevated positions
were enabled to count the regmental standards
Indicating a strength equal to that have stated
My own command consisted of two brigades o.
less than 1000 men all told, with nine hundred
cavalry, ten Parrot guns and one battery Of {
Founders smooth bore cannon. 10 this ehoult
be added the 10th Maine regiment OF infantry
and five companies of Maryland cavalry, station
ed at Winchester, which were engaged in th,
action. The loss of the enemy was treble lha
OF ours in killed and wounded. In prisoners ourl
greatly exceeded theirs.
Officers whose word cannot doubt have stated
as the result of their own observation, that ou
men were fired upon from private dwellings, il
passing through Winchester; but | am credibly
/ informed, and gladly believe, that the atroctie
said to have been perpetrated upon our wounded
, soldiers by the rebels are greatly exaggerated o