Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-04-04

while our army lay between them anu
the town. 1t was generally believed that
a general engagement would take place
on the next day Sunday and the expec-
tants were not disappointed. That night |
was one of terrible suspense on both
sides. No one knew what the rebels de-
laved their advance for, while it was our
policy to postpone a battle, in view OF the
preponderating force of the enemy, in
order to allow reinforcements to arrive
from the division OF Gen. Williams, the
rear guard of which had already advanc-
ed ten miles toward the Shenandoah
Morning explained the reason OF the
enemy's halt. About ten o'clock rem
forcements Of five regiments OF infantry
were announced arrived from Strasburg,
under Gen. Garnett, by the voclferous
and prolonged cheers which proceeded
from their lines. The attack was not
now long delayed. The enemy advanced
his army which now consisted OF sixteen
regiments of infantry numbering 1000
men; five batteries of artillery, with
total of twenty-eight field pieces, and
three battallions OF horse under Ashby
and Stewart His line of battle extend
ed about mile on the right of the viii
lage of Kernstown, and mile and three
quarters OIL the left of it, and the village
law on the road between the rebel right
and center. There is a mud road branch
inc from the turnpike mile or so from
Winchester, to the right of the road as
YOU 90 10 Strasburg. This road passed
through the left of the enemy's center,
and was one of their points Of defense
Beyond that there is a grove of trees,
and further ridge of hills with a stone
wall running along lis summit about breast
high This was the rebel line of otlenst
and defense on the right of our line
Our most advanced regiment was tht
8th Ohio, of Gen. Tyler's brigade, ant
/ on it the rebels made furious Onslaught
i about half past ten o'clock A. NJ. on Sat
: urday. with the intention of turning on
n right flank. The Ohio 9Th met them gal
: lantly, whitening them like autumn leave
: before the breath Of winter by thei
deadly fire Of rifles. Five several time
a did the enemy emerge from the wood
e and from behind their stone paraPet i
: vastly superior numbers, and try to &c
j, complsh their object Our left wins
l. consisting Of the 18Th Indiana, 7th Ohm
IS and battery of the 4th regular artillery
IS under Capt jerks, had feint made o
a it while the real attack Of the enemy wa
Il being directed against our right win!
5. The feint on our left was a heavy fire
lie artillery posted on both sides Of the viIIag
k, and turnpike, which, however, did tritiin
II damage. Our battery replied, silencin
I'd those Of the enemy, though the firing vs.
~ we'll maintained for a long time on bot
1p sides. Our center consisted of the l4t
w Indiana, the 8th and 9Th Ohio, and II
p 84th Pennsylvania, and two artillery ba
10 teries belonging TO the lst Ohio artiller
m and the Cavalry, consisting Of the |
he Michigan aud the 1st Ohio, were draw
~ up in the rear. The whole Of our ca
mr. aIry amounted 10 no more than 500 me
nd and this arm played very unlmportar
no part in the action on either side. o.
n right wing was made up Of the 9TH ar
er 8th Ohio regiments, and battery OF Il
ur LIST Virginia regiment The resery'
49, consisted of the 18th Indiana, the 80
no Illinois, and a squadron of the Michigf
It cavalry. Gen. Shields was unable to a
bo pear on the field in person, and the cor
maDd devolved on Acting Brig. kimba
"a who led our center and our right W
Il commanded by Acting Brig. Gen. lyle
~, while Col. Sullivan directed our oper
=, tons on the left. The battle ragged aloI
J. the whole line with great fury from ele
i, en- A. NJ. until half past two F. NJ, VIII
Gen. Shields, who received accounts
&c the progress of the fight on his couc
ordered the right, where the contt
~ ragged the hottest, to charge upon the e
~ envy. That was an awful charge. L
81 left OF tue enemy prepared desperate
A to repel our gallant troops, but their ru
:. was as irresistible as the tide in the b
NO of Fundy. Previous to this time o
~. line of battle had been somewhat char
Al; ed. The 84th Pennsylvania bad re
he forced our right, and also battery
,el artillery. Our whole force now engag
ION was about 5000 men, while that of
in. enemy was, at the lowest estimate, 8O'
rst The rebels had also changed their Ii
and extending both wings, presented