The New York herald., 1862-04-13
THE BATTLE OF WINCHESTER.
1HE OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. SHIELDS,
&c. &c, &c.

1he uFFlClAL REPORT Of GEN. SHIELDS,
&c, &c, &c
SrkAssuRG, April 4, 1862
The following is copy OF Gen. Shields official report
f the recent sangunary and brilliant victory Win.
thestsr:-
HEADQUARTERS SHIRIps' DIVISION
WINCHESTER, Va, March 20, 1862
10 Major General BANKS
SR--I have the honor to report that during my
ronnoissance of the 18th and 10Th ins the direction
bi Mount Jackson, ascertainod that the enemy under
Jackson was strongly posted that place. and in di
rect communication with force at Luray and another at
washington. became important, therefore, 10 draw
him from his position and supporting force possible
10 endeavor to effect this fell back to Winchester
tho 20th giving the movement all the appearance Of
retreat The last brigade Of the first division Of Banks
eops darmsee General Williams commanding, took its
departure for Centrsvile by way Of Berryvie on the
morning OF the 22d, leaving only Shields division and
The Michigan cavalry In Winchester Ashbys cavalry,
observing this movement from distance, came to the
conclusion that Winchester was being evacuated, and
Genaized Jackson to that effect. We their signal
Nsss and OWNED their mpcrt On tho 22d, about five
peE2ck NJ, they attacked ard drove in our pickets
by erder of Con. Banks, put my command under
and pushed forward brigade and two batteries Of
artillery to drive back the enemy, but. to keep
Am deceived as to strength, only let him two
regiments of infantry, small body Of cavalry, and part
of the artillery While directing OF our batteries to
Its position struck by the fragment OF shell,
(which fractured my arm above tho elbow, bruised my
shoulder and injured my side The enemy being driven
from his position, We withdrew to Winchester. Tho
5pjurics had received completely prosratsd me- but
wore not such as to prevent me from making the
qured dispositions for the ensuing day Under Of
$he night pushed forward Kimbals brigade nearly
Ahree miles on the S!rasburg road. Daums artillery
posted in strong position support his brigade at
lacked. Sullyans brigade posted in The rear of
Kimballs, and within supporting distance OF covering
h the approaches to tho town by Cedar creek Front
Royal, Berryvlc and Romney roads. This brigade and
Broadhead's cavalry held in reserve TO sup
port force in front at any point where Il might be
attacked. These dispositions being made, rested for
ehs night, knowing that all the approaches BY which
khe enemy might penetrate 10 this place efscualy
guarded.
i I deem IL necessary in this place to give bref
description Of these approaches, as wol hs Of tho
Held, which next day became the scene Of Of the
boodiest battles Of the winchester is approached
from the south by three principal roaas-tho Cedar
creek road the wcst the valley turnpike road leading
20 Sasburg in the CENTRE and the Front Royal road
the east There is little village called Kernstovn,
the valley road about three and half miles from Win.
thsster. On tho west side Of this road, about half
tnils north Of Kernstown, is a ridge OF ground
which commands the approach by tho turnpike
and . part Of the surrounding country. This
ridge was the key point Of our position
Here Colonel Kimbal, tho senior officer in command
}ns aeld took his station. Along this ridge Lieutenant
Eoonsl Daum, chief Of artillery posted three Of his
Batteries keeping OF his batteries in
Instance in the Part Of infantry first placed
IN position In the roar and within supporting distance
bf these batteries, we'll sheltered in the windngs and
tnuosics Of the ridge The main body of tho enony on
ths ridge posted in order Of battle about half mile
beyond Kernstown, his limo extending from the Cedar
Greek road to little ravne, the Front Royal road
distance Of about two miles. This ground had been
bkilfuly selected that while il afforded facilities for
tnaneuvring, It was completely masked by high and
wooded ground in 'front.' These woods he filled with skr
@ishsrs, supported by battery each flank, and
hdroitly had this movement beon conducted, and skill
fully had he concealed himself, that at eight O'Clock A.
~ on the 23d nothing was visible but the same force
under Ashby which had been repulsed the previous
evening Not being abe to reconnoitre the front In
son. despatched experienced officer, Colonel John T.
assn Of the Fourth Ohio Volunteers about nine O'Clock
H. to the 'front.' perform that duty and report to
$ns as promptly possible every circumstance that
might indicate the presence Of the enemy. Abou: an
our after Colonel Mason returned and reported to
that he had carefully reconnotered the country in front
and on both aanks and found indications any hos
pile forco except that or Ashby's
Communicated this information to Major General Eanks
who thon with me. and after consulting together
both concluded that jackson could not be tempted TO
hazard himself far away from his main support Hav
ing both this conclusion Gen. Banks took his de-
parturo Cor Washington being already under orders 70
hhat effect. The officers Of his STAFF however, remained
behind intending leave for Centrevilo In tho afternoon
Although began to conclude that Jackson nowhere
In the vicinity, knowing the crafty enemy have
Hoal with, took caro- not to omit single prscauton
Between eleven and twelve o'clock A. H. message from
Colonel Kimball informed that another battery on
The ensmys right had opened position and that
Ahere some indications Of considerable force Of
Infantry the woods in that quarter On receiving this
Information pushed forward sullvans brigade, which
Nas placed by order OF Colonel Kimba in position 10
oppose the advance OF tho enemy's right wing. The
acton opened with fire OF artillery on both sdes but
al too great distance TO be very Elective The nitia
hive taken by the enemy. He pushed forward few
hore guns to his right, supported by considerable
brce of infantry and cavalry with the apparent inen
tion OF enRlading position and turning left flank
IN active body Of skrmshors consisting Of the Eighth
phio Colonel Carroll and three companies Of the Sixty
Bsvsnth Ohio was Immediately thrown forward on both
sides OF the valley road 10 resist the enemys
These skirmishers were admirably supported by four
pieces of artillery under Captain jerks and Sullvans
gallant brigade. This united force repulsed the enemy
at all points, and gave him such check that further
demonstration was made upon that flank during the
remainder Of the day. Tho attempt against left
flank having thus failed the withdrew the greater
part Of his force TO the right ard formed 1t into
serve to support his left flank in forward movement
He then added his original and two batteries
him main body and then advancing with this combined
column under shelter Of the bridge bis left which
cher batteries had been previously posted, seemed evil
ueuty determined to turn right flank or overthrow
H. Our batteries on the opposite ridge. though admira
bly, managed by their experienced chief Lieutenant Colo
hel Daum were soon found insufficient check or even
tetard the advance Of such formidable body. Al this
stage Of the combat messenger arrived from Colonel
Rimbal informing Of tho state the ncld and re.
uesting direction tho employ Of the infantry
saw there wos not moment 10 loss and rave pos;t,.