Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-04-04
WoOdberry, March 20. 1862.
BATTLE OF WINCHESTER.
FULL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE.
GREET LOSSES or THE ENEMY.

S~S~N0 HSf~NS@'tNN
WINCHESTER, Va. March a, 1862.
II was hard fought battle ON both sides, but
the valor of our troops carried every thing be>
fore it and won the day We hape completely
beaten the enemy, taken five guns at the point
of the bayons, killed about two hundred aDd
fifty, taken three hundred prisoners, and have
from one hundred and fifty to two hundred more
here wounded in hospital. Jackson chose his
ground, bad the best troops in the Southern
Army, took his own time, and was fairly beaten
by ueven Dumber. To explain the battle must
60 back little.
THE ADVANCE.
Last week, when the forces, brought to attack
Wiuchehter,had assemled there, General Shields
with sufficient force, was sent in pursuit of
Jackson, who had retired to Strasburg, eight
teen miles from here. General Shields follow7
ed jackson on to Strasburg, drove him out af-
ter ligtle skermishing, and occupied the town
Jackson retreatIng to JacksOn's Mountain,
twenty-three miles further. General Shields
having no desire to pursue him furher, aud it
being no part of our plan to hold Strasburg,
returned TO Winchester with the whole of bis
command.
In tho meantime it had been arranged to send
off the troops at Winchester to join Mcclellan,
and for that purpose bridge had been built
at Suckers Ferry, and most of the troops sent
of. Shields, with bis entire force of about
twelve thousand, still remained 10 Winchester,
however, and, owing to the bridge at the break
ing down, General w illians' Brigade was de-
tanned from crossing, and was only fifteen
miles Of.
THE REBELS DECEIVED.
jackson supposing that all'the forces had bean
withdrawn except two regiments, and receiving
urgent letters from Secession inhabItants 10
move back, started from Jacksou's Mountain
on Friday, marched the forty-three miles in
two days, and arrived at outskirts Of the town
Saturday evening. In order TO be sure of the
number of men here; Colonel Ashby made a
bold dash with his cavalry into town, taking
several prisoners and wounding several others.
Our artillery was at once brought to bear on
them, aud au artillery duel was kept up quite
brlskly for some time, 10 which Gen. Shields
was struck on the arm by a piece of shell,
causing severe confusion, tut hot enough
however; 10 confne him to bis bed while the
battle of yesterday was going on, although to
his troops belongs the glory of the day
jackson feeling satisfied from Ashby's
reconnaissance that thero was not force enough
here to resist him, prepared for battle on Sun
day morning He chose long ridge, with a
broad sweep in front for his artillery, for
growth of undertrnsh and woods. THIS ridge
is about FIVE miles southwest from Winchester
on the right of the Strasburg tarnpike.
TIE BATTLE.
Early in the morning the battle commen cs d
principally with the artillery, and was kept up,
with occasional firing from infantry, all the
forenoon and the early part of the afternoon.
About p. Nj. our infantry opened Gbrisk
FIRE upon them, and drove them from point to
point with great loss and gaining confidence
from their fair success, made brilliant bayo-
net charge and captured FIVE guns, Of
them twelve-pounders. The euemy's loss was
greatest 10 lhioket at the bottom Of the ridge
before mentioned, where they we're strongly
posted behind denoe growth of uuderbrush,
and from which they poured out .murdsroas
fire on our t.oops. But nothing could With