New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-05
THRILLING ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE
AT MIDDLETOWN.

From The Ranger W1ig.
We have permission to copy the following letter
from Capt G. NJ. Brown of Co. NJ, TO his wife in
tits city: q. SOC,
My DrAR WIFE: l sent Geographic dispatch
this noon informing you OF my safety: have peeh
through trying times TO body spd mind both, eince
/ wrote yoG last. sm unburi, but almost(esres
tina, did not die with the bravo fellows who nre
gone.
Saturday morning, at o'clock we were ordered
TO march; went toward Winchester as far as Middle
town. when we turned of toward Front Royal;
met a superior force, whom We avoided, and canlo
back to Mddletown-the enemy pursulng us.
While we were going toward Front Royal, the
artillery and Infantry, which we left 1t Middieto"p,
had been moved with the baggage train toward
Newtown, where they had an engagement.
We remained in Middleiown with about five hun
dred all cavalry. BY one Of tbose initiates when
occur in military operations occasionally, we We're
ordered to make stand against two thousand ln-
fan,ry end battery OF six guus-wo OF them throw
ing shells. Companies A, Ii, +, n, and NJ OF our
regiment, and two companies Of tho Vermont let,
were thus exposed. We were drawn NJ In the turn
pike. 1t was trying ordeal 10 zee the cannon ap.
proachipg and taking position within q thousand
wards OF u.s. while their Infantry had formed behind
stone wall within three hundred yards OF u.s. With
another line across the turnpike half mile IN 'front.'
They opened upon us with fhell from two guns, Tire
ifsntTy firing it safe distance. we were actually
Tire courage OF our men was tried 10 the utmost,
and not fonnd wanting. Not u man left his place.
rode up and down the company. taking to and en-,
couaging them to keep their places III the ranks III
cond zee In every eve that steady look winch con-
WINGED me they would follow wherever led. The
eneny's infantry had not only formed across the
pike down which we we're to charge, bu. had hl-o
formed behind the stone wall at the eide Oh the lhe
nearly up 10 the head Of our column, thus bringing
them v Thin twelve feet of when we should move
down. You will better understand the bravery OF
our nsn when tell you there were several r'rce,s
leading TO the left by which we mit a, nave scaPea
as the enemy were all on our rlShi anu IN irou''
The order finally came 20 move.
In the dust aud tmoke We could not zee that me
head Of our column bad termed 10 the lett and broke
for the woods; and companies a, T. and NJ charged
straight down the pike under IA murderons nIe. a
section Of tours lust in trent OF was destroyed IN
an instant by a cannon-hal. Those behind could not
see for det and smoke, as1 IN an instant the whOls
company were phDg one on the other-Company
following and adding to the horror. My hoire was
shot under me- and wac carried into the chaos OIL
s,rurpn2 and wounded horses. ] succeeded In keep
ing free ind jumped from horse to borse, ana over
the fence 10 tie lett, ralyiBg few OF my men who
got ont We Immediately took across the field amid
hail Of balleis, and gained cover.
Lieut.. Taylo: rallied the few who were mountch,
and retreated with them. Companies and IL were
in the rear and did not chstgeturncd to the ieit,
and escap4d without losing man, with the exceP-
ton Of Capt. CIey, whose night arm war taken on
1T the shoulder by cannon.tall war )oihea III
the woods by Lieut.. Goddard with few OF III. con-
pany iEl, and .Ee walked sixteen miles, MayinB ID
The woods near Winchester till daybreak. few OF
NV men unfit for duty were at Winchester, and
wien got in could muster but Is nen all told,
with q horses. We had snother battle there at
o'clock. drew W my line with Lieut.: Taylor and
II Inen, ali had ft for service. We were not Or
dered in, and started on the retrest at O'Clock.
j lad flsnking duty to do, and We rode nearly
sixty miles during tho day. My little squad was
surrounded by q company Of Ashby's cavalry, while
we were four miles from the man column 10 the
,;obt For six hous avoided them, and finally
trio ked them and got g way safely.
] have lived weeks the last fotY-eiRht hour;
could an pages with little incidents, but have no
time TO write.
Va forded the Potomac this morning. lay down
,nce dinner and slept three hours, the first sleep,
.xceItIng one or two little maps by the roadside,
spcs took the saddle last Saturday morning, at
m elocy