Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-06-06
The Retreat Of Gen. Banks
from Strasburg.

The Retreat Of Gen. Banks
from Strasburg.
The special correspondent of the New
York World, has furnished peculiarly
interesting account Of the three days OPP
crations during the retreat of Gen. Banks
from Strasburg, including graphic descrip-
tions of the encounters at Front Royal
and Winchester, estracts from which We
append.
TIE DESTRUCTION OF KESLEY's MARYLAND
REGIMENT AT FRONT ROYAL.
Soon was received the un-
welcome news that the enemy had sur
rounded them with their superior num-
bcrs both by right and left.
Our men, undauntcd dashed upon them
with such yigor as to effect their escape,
and cut their way out from the coils of
the rebels, thrown around them, not how
ever without heing again surrounded and
50 effectually bcset on every side, behind
and before, with the most insurmountable
superiority both in the numbers and fresh
hess of the rebel troops, that they were
completely destroyed or captured, togcth-
er with their noble Colonel and other field
officers
The severity of the fight bcggars all
attempts at description.
No man upon the field of battle ever
governed his men with more coolncss,
Judgment and bravery than did Col. Ken
/ ley. His cry to his men was not "go,"
but scom1 with me" and they did so, ev-
cry man of them When ordered to SUR
render, he shot the man that ordered it,
and when oyerpowered and summoned to
give up his sword, he broke the blade in
halves, was shot, wounded aud placed in
all ambulance.
He was Baltimorean, and a lawyer
Of fine ability, and esteemed by large
number of friends. His loss is deeply
tet in the division, and his worth ac-
knowle'lsrl by all,
SUNDAYS fGnrtSd At WINCHESTER.
tter long and anxious days march
retired to rest in the town Of Ninehcs-
ter By daybftak upon the following
morning. the voices Of cannon and the
rattle of mu>ketry, coming in through my
open window, brought me suddenly to the
consciousness that another day must be
broken Of its peaceful quiet by the fierce
anl unnatural pursuits Of war. LISTEN
cl To the sound. and saw the smoke which
rose from the hills, but three miles dis
tant Durin. breakfast heard the
trampine of horses on the road, and the
heavy rolling of artillery upon the pave
mcuts. Certainly, thought, there can
be no haste; we shall not be compelled to
, leave Winchester.
I Presently there was commotion, a
sobbing among the women, and running
to and fro, which brought me to my feet
in time to ind our forces were started on
hasty retreat and as | saw flames rs-
ing from the burning buildings not far off
and heavy volumes Of smoke roll upward
/ from them, began to realize that We were
to abandon Winchester. The enemy were
+ in the other end of the town, as the rat
tie and echo of muskctry up the streets
and between the houses most plainly indi-
Gated All the streets were in commo-
ton. Cavalry were rushing disorderly
away, and infantry, frightened by the rap
ility Of their mounted companions, were
in considerations All were trying to cs-
cape faster than their neighbors, dreading
most of all TO be last.
Presently the enemy's cannon boomcd
in the rear, and a small cloud Of smoke
in the sky suddenly appearing, and then
dissolying, showed where the ball had ex-
plolcd. Some shells fell among our men,
and the panic was quite general for some
time. Guns, knapsaeks. cartridge boxes,
bayonets and bayonet eases lay scattered
upon the ground in great confusion, thrown
away by the pauic-stricken soldiers. Blu:
this confusion and disorder were not of
long duration.
Gen. Banks. riding continually among
the men, addressing them kindly and firm
". shamed them to consideration Of
their unbeftting CONSERVATION At length,
stationing himself and staff, with several
others, across a field through which the
soldiers were flying, the men were order
ed to stop their flight, were formed into
line, and made to march on in soldier-like
manner.
REVIEW OF TlIETnREE DAYs-INCIDESTs,E ETC.
He decended upon the little force at
Front Royal through the morrow gorges
which run parallel with it down between
the ranges of hills beyond.
His appearance was sudden, and cut.
ting Immediately the telegraph wires and
destroying the railroad bridges on either
side, he prevented the transmission. of des-
patches and the sending of reinforce
ments. Thus, completely cut off did the
Maryland regiment maintain themselves
against the three rebel brigades of Ewell
until they were completely surrounded,
and destroyed or captured.
My conversation with those engaged in
that fearful massacre confirms the worst
of the terrible statements in regard to
the inhuman ferocity of the rebel soldiers.
Wounded men without doubt We're
pierced with bayonets, and the bodies of
our dead mutilated and deseerated by an
abandoned and unmcrciful soldiery.
"Show the id Yankees no quarter"
was the cry, and men were heard to say,