The national Republican., 1862-03-26

Saturday, 2 O'Clock, p. m, the enemy show
ed themselves mile and half from Winches'
ter. The enemy--60O Of Ashby's cavalry
with two guns-drove in our pickets, and then
skirmished with the Michigan cavalry, and a
portion Of the Maryland First regiment. Gen
Shields brought up his forcer, fred rounds o.
shell and drove them back, taking several pri-
soners. Shields was wounded In the left arr
Jackson had been informed by some Of the in
habitants that the town had been deserted by
the Union troops, and he accordingly advanced
to retaks IT, Shields's force slept on their arms
on Saturday night. Sunday morning, jackson
being reinforced, attacked Shields near Kearns
town, three miles distant from Winchester.
The encmy's force consisted Of FIVE hundred
OF Ashby's cavalry, five thousand infantry, nine
pieces of artillery, with a reserve Of eighteen
pieces OF artillery. The fight was kept up till
noon, when q charge was made by the Ohio
infantry, the First Michigan, and the First Vir.
ginis cavalry on their right. They drove the
rebels back half mile, when the enemy again
got their guns in position in dense woods
aanked by infantry, and drove us back. A
short artillery engagements ensued, when Gen
Shields, through Col. Kimbah, ordered Col
Tyler to turn their left flank, which was exc.
cuted by our troops, but with terrible loss
the enemy being protected by a stone ledge
The Eighty fourth Pennsylvania and Thir
tsenth Indiana regiments charged their centre,
and the fight became general. There was q
terrible massacre on both sides.
Col. Murray, Of the Eighty fourth Pennsylva
mia, was killed. The enemy retired slowly
bringing bis guns to bear at every opportunity
Our men rushed upon them with yells, when Q
panic among the enemy ensued. Our troop
followed, and drove them till dark, capturing
three guns, three caissons, muskcts, equip
menus, ETC., innumerable.
Our troops bivouackcd.
The dead and wounded were sent here yes
ierday noon.
General Williams, First brigade--Col. Don
ely, of the Twenty eighth New York, com
manding reinforced Gen. Shields forces. Gen
Banks, who was on the way 10 Washington
returned and assumed the command. In tn
meantime, Gen. Shields's division, commanded
by Col. Kimball, pursued the enemy beyont
Nswtown, shelling them the whole way.
Jackson's men are perfectly demoralzed
aud entirely beyond any control. They threw
overheard, in crossing the river, number o
doad and wounded, and eighteen wagons
| It Ia noticeable that nearly all Of tho Conled
crate killed and wounded were shot in the hcat
aud breast, testing the superiority of our marks
men.
Those who have conveyed false inteligenc
to Jackson, causing this disaster to the Con
iederates, have upon their shoulders heav,
weight Of responsibility.
1t was evidently known 10 many in town tha
jackson was approaching, from the holda
attire and buoyancy Of spirit observed anon
the men and women.
General Shields command was heing sur
rounded, and, from observation on the east sid
Of the towo, Jackson's iuformants were led t.
the belief that all Of our troops were cvacu
ating the place, and that Jackson could cate
unobstructed. This evidence is corroborate'
by statements from prisoners. Good Judge
say that the enemy losl over 200 killed, SOC
wounded, and 800 prisoners, including one o
Jackson's aids. Our loss is estimated as ben
about G5 killed, and l25 wounded.
LATER.
Our column is now five miles beyond Strai
burg, and is still in pursuit Of the hyin
enemy.
All letters for the officers and soldiers G
General Banks's division should be directed
Winchester until further notice is given.