Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-29
lie FIGHT AT FRONT ROYAL AN
. wINCHEsTER.
Further PaYtfcularG
Correspondence New York worlal

WINCHEsTER.
Further Particulars.
Correspondence New York World
HAsERsrowS, Md, May 26.-With fuller In.
and proceed TO narrate In fuller details and with
more reliable information, the melancholy events
OF Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The sudden descent Of the enemy's forces,
though really a surprise, was not by many alto
gether unexpected.
Ewell had been well known to have his camp
still located upon the Shenandoah, at Elk Run.
Jackson was also known to be in the Valley upon
q road communicating directly with our own po-
sitton, and Johnson wss also near by, having but
lately attacked the advance guard Of General FIRE.
mont.
situated as these forces were in relation to our
position, IL seemed more than likely we should
be assailed BY them, weakened az we were by the
untimsly Withdrawal OF Gen. Fremont. Many
were In constant expectation Of attack and IL re-
quires but the slightest intelligence to perceive
| that the column Of Gen. Banks yves desperately
exposed.
When, therefore, the 1st Maryland, stationed at
the head Of the Lufay valley, at the other end of
which Ewell was known to be encamped, was
nrst ascertained to have been attacked and dis
| astrously overpowered, II was only result which
/ II would appear might have been easily foreseen
He descended upon the little force at Front Royal
Il through the narrow gorges which run parallel
/ with II down the ranges of hills beyond.
His appearance was sudden, and, cutting i'm.
mediately the telegraph wires and destroying the
railroad bridges on either side, he prevented the
| transmission Of dispatches and the sending of re.
Il Inducements Thus, completely cut of did the
Il aryland regiment maintain themselves against
the three brig AIDES Of the Rebel Ewell until they
Il were completely surrounded, and destroyed CT
/ captured
| My conversation with several Of those engaged
In that fearful nesacre confirms the worst of the
terri bic statements In regard to the fubuman fe-
rocity Of the Rebel soldiers.
Wounded men without doubt were rferced
ted and desecrated by an abandoned and ufinsr-
i ciful soldiery.
''5how the ID Yankees no quarters" was
/ the cry, and men were heard to say, "kiII them
/ tine woundedi) we can't carry them"
i The few who escaped at the battle of Front
Royal from the enemy surrounding them were
| surely saved $50 as by freH
4 Captain hapes of the Pioneer Corps emitting
Il MS mules away from their teams escaped throuph
i the cloud Of dust and confusion caused BIZ their
wild stampede, following Immediately in their
i wake a. they broke tRrou2 the lines of the enc
Il my, VINO opened their ranks to let them pass
THE FIGHT AT WINCHESTER
Il EaIly upon the following morning the enemy
at,ac fed our two brigades-seven regiments, con-
There is a ridge extending along the west Of
the town and along the sides of this our infantry
was placed-GordOn's Brigade upon the right
/ and Donnellv's upon The left The enemy occu
pied position where there were woods in the
rear with tif pits and batteries In front Of Cor
| oon,s Brigade, not more than half mile distant
w eea zen: Banks came out the centre was
felt 70 De too much weakened, still IL was feared
Ihat me enemy would attempt to flank our right,
| which was, in consequence, strengthened by the
| removal OF regiment from the left
4 The enemy advanced, firing along the course
OF the NIL, and soon from two directions poured
In voiey af'er volley upon us with shot and shell
4 from their batteries.
The whole air OF the plain to the southwark was
darkensd, aud everything obscured by heavy
II dense smoke.
While this was going on on the right, Colonel
orders We're given for the extreme Left to support
Il the centre. rf
| Orders were also given for cavalry to move out
ana explore on each flank.
Il Immediately thereafter the FIRE of the enemy,s
batteries On the right ceased, before the cavalry
haG time to 60 out and obey the order.
Il Two reg iments were seen advancing along the
course OF the hill to the right cheering and nfng
| and beyond them five other regiments beside
The 29th Indiana wes at this time In a column of
| Tours, and without giving time 10 form In line
i tney were ordered to fire, and then Immediately
| to charge bayonets
The whole rebel line advanced now with axed
/ 9ayones and heads down, and the 9th Indiana
| ala not Withstand the shock, but broke into a
confused rout, exposing the nank Of the I'd Massa-
i chuse;ts. = -
About this time our batteries In front Of the
4 Town, which held position raking the course of
/ the hill along which the rebels were advancing
| against the ID Massachusetts, ceased firing lin.
| bered up, and retreated
4 The battery In the rear of Gordon,s Rrioads
Hmbered up also, and galloped of at full speed
The guns were taken out at Just the proper
time 4 short time later and they would have
Infantry Of Gordons Brigade retreated through
/ tne Town, their drums beating, In good order
II Col Murphy, 29th PennsYlVania, was Obliged
1 70 dismount from his horse, who had become I'm
manageable, and the old man, unable to retreat
l shouted TO his men to run with the colors for he
1 could not ~
DoLAeily's Brigade retreated TO the east OF the
1 town, and were reported cut of Intelligence
has recently been received, however, that be ef-
/ fected his escape and was crossing the Potomac
| az Failing Waters, Dam No. q. They are report
ed TO have made an excellent fght, and to have
| rePulsed the enemy brought against them
The trst stand made In the retreat was about
three miles from the town. A portion OF the ira
Harris Guard and Vermont Cavalry supported
/ the battery In the rear, and Majors Davidson and
| Gardner, New York, and Captain Preston, Ver-
mont Cavalry, commanded them with coolnes,
| and bravery.
| deneral Banks was In the rear Of the retreat
and shell exploded only four fee. from him,
| fortunately without iDjuring him.
4 winchester Is reported to be burned. Some
| ammuainon was seen 10 explode. While we
| were leaving, loud report was followed bv the
rising OF large sphere Of smoke high into the air
| like balloon. ~
The enemy had stationed a force at Berryyills
| 10 prevent our retreating towards Harper,s Perrv
ana we were compelled to take the TOAD to Mar,
General Bank. this morning, on the other side
OF the river, made short address 20 the soldiers
| encouraging them to maintain them,eIyss nntJl
| reinforeements shall be received which will
| doubtless arrive Immediately, and we shall soon
/ recross the Potomac, and drive back the enemy
over the ground we have lost. -
W The support Of the ''contrahandsn now