Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-01
Rebel Account of the Battle near
Winchester.

(FrOm the New York Herald of last mighty
The following is the rebel account of the
engagement near Winchester ON Sunday
last, as related by the most intelligent Of
the prisoners now in this city. It is inter-
esting, and in some degree important, as
showing the objects of the movements of
the left wing of the late rebel army of the
Potomac. l.iE
From the time that he left Winchester
and Strasburg, aud moved with the main
body of his forces towards Stauuton, Gen.
jackson was kept accurately informed of
all the movements of Gen. Banks aud Gen.
Shields. The great majority of the inhab-
itants of Frederick county, and all the
people in Warren and Shenandoah coun-
ties, are seCessi0nists, and they kept HIM
posted as to all that transpired.
He did not, of course, depend upon
these sources of information, alone. but
kept scouts and conriers in constant mo-
ton between himself and Winchester.
His rear guard was at no time below
Strasburg, and the pfckets of this guard
were thrown forward TO point quite near
| Winchester. 1t would seem that General
Johnston expected nothing more from him
than that he should cover the retreat of
that part of the Army of the Potomac
(which, sent from Centreyille to Strasburg
aud thence to HarriS0nburg, was destined
to operate finally near Staunton; but that,
having done that by the 18th inst, he was
| left to the exercise of large discretion as
to his subsequent movements. Learning
on tue Goth that General Banks was NOV
4 ing part of his forces along the Winches-
ter and Battletown turnpike. towards the
latter place, General Jackson was led to
Suppose that General Banks was endeavor-
ing to effect a junction of his whole force
i MI hot of AfnfN1 ~
vile, by way Of Aide, there being a good
turnpike road the entire distance.
But 1t seems that this was only Generals
brigade, which afterwards retraced their
steps and return to Winchester after the
faction OfSundayr General jackson, how
ever, deeming it of vital importance Ito
prevent junction at Centreville of the
forces of Gen. Banks with thoGe Of General
McClelland, determined to attack General
, Banks at Winchester, with such q show. OF
f force as would compel him to remain there
at least. II seems that he had NO idea
that he would be able to compel General
Banks to abandon Winchester and return
to HarpeTs Ferry, but he was determined
that he should not advance towards Cen
2 treHille. Accordingly, he caused fOurlreg-
iments of infantry to make forced march
from. Mount Jackson to Strasburg, aud
from the latter place to the scene of.tht
|. enGhgehient on Saturday. sst..3 4
q The rebel account of the battle itsei
/, does not materially differ from that pub
lishsd in the Herald of the 27th, except il
9 the following particulars First, as to tn
7 numbers engaged, it is stated that Jack
sons whole force, after he was reinforce,
). by Gen. Garnett on Sunday, did not ex
. coed 5000 men, and of them not NOR
= than 5000 were actually engaged. Sec
= ond, that the reason that the rebels Wer
u obliged to abandon the contest was tina
their ammunition became entirely exhaust
ed. Tdis app ears to DE true, nom the fac
eF Fthat NO cartridges were found in the.cart
IN ridge boxes Of those taken prisoners, or
&. those t9ghl dead in the field, but Wh