Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-04-04
The Battle of Winchester.
GEN. SHIELDS ACCOUNT.

GEN. SHIELDS ACCuUNT.
The New York Herald publishes the
following letter from Gen. Shields to a
friend in Washington, giving the Generals
informal account of the battle of Win
chester
HEADQUARTERS GEN. SHIELDS DIVISION, !
Winchester. Va.,. March 26, 1867.
will give you a brief account of our
late operations. My reconnaissance. be-
yond Strasburg, on the 18th and 10th
inst, discovered Jackson reinforced, in a
strong position, near Newmarket, within
supporting distance of tie main body of
the rebels under Johnston. 1t was neces-
sary to decoy him from that position.
Therefore | fell back rapidly to Winches-
ter on the Goth, as if in retreat, march
ing my whole command nearly thirty
miles in one day. My force was placed
at night in secluded position, two miles
from Winchester, on the Martinsburg
road. On the 2lst the rebel cavalry, un-
der Ashby, showed themselves to our
pickets, within sight of Winchester.
On the 22d all of Gen. Banks COM
mand, with the exception of my division,
evacuated Winchester, en- roaa for Center
VILE This movement and the masked
position of my division made an impress
sion upon the inhabitants, some of whom
were in secret communication with the
enemy, that our army had left, and that
nothing remained bat few regiments to
garrison the place. jackson was signal
lied to this effect. | saw their Signals
and OWNED their meaning. About o.
clock in the afternoon of the ed, Ashby,
believing that the town was almost evac-
uated attacked our pickets and drove
them in. This success increased his de-
fusion. 1t became necessary, however to
repulsc them for the time being. there
fore ordered forward u brigade, and placed
it in front between Winchester and the
enemy. | only let them see, however,
two regiments Of infantry, two batteries
of artillery, and a small force of cavalry,
which he mistook as the whole force left
to garrison and protect the place.
In little skirmish that evening while
placing the artillery in position, | was
struck by fragment of q shell, which
broke my arm above the elbow, injured
my shoulders, and damaged me otherwise
to such an ex tent that have lain pros
tratc ever since. commenced making
preparations for any emergency that might
occur that night or next morning. I'm
der cover of the night | ordered an entire
brigade (Kimball's) to take up strong
position in advance. l pushed forward
four batteries, having them placed in q
strong position to support the infantry.
| placed Sullivan's brigade on both TANKS;
to prevent surprise and to keep my TANKS
from being turned, and | held Tyler's
brigade in reserve, to operate against any
point that might be assailcd in trent. In
this position | awaited and expected the
enemy attack next morning. My adj
vance brigade was two miles from the
town, its pickcts extending perhaps a
mile farther along the turnpike leading to
Strasburg.
ABOUT 8 o'clock in the morning sent
forward two experienced officers to recon.
hotter the front and report indications Of
the enemy. They returned in an hour
reporting no enemy in sight except Ashby's
force Of cavalry, infantry, and artillery
which by this time had become familiar
and contemplate to US. Gen. Banks
who was yet here in person, upon hearing
this report, concluded that Jackson could
not be in front possibly, or be decoyec
away so far from the main body Of th,
rebel army. In this opinion |, too, be
gan to concur, concluding that jackson
was too sagacious to be caught in such ;
trap. Gen. Banks therefore left for Wash
ington. His staff officers were directed
to follow the same day, by way of Cen
treville. Knowing the crafty enemy, how
ever. had to deal with, | omitted n,
precaution. My whole force was concen
trotad and ,,rapa rod "a c,nport K;nholl'