Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-30

OF the enemy, a most critical situation was
before them. There were five companies
of the First Maine Cavalry, and two COM
pahies. A aud @, of the Vermont.
| Lieutenant-Colonel Doughty, Of Maine
Cavalry, WAS there, and Major Collins, of
Vermont Cavalry, also, inferior in command
to the lieutenaLt-colonel and 70 General
Hatch
A charge was now made, to describe
which is not an agreeable task. In such
desperate srtaits, nothing seemed to daunt
the determination of the men, which only
served TO make their destruction the more
sure and terrible. a"-fif
Dashing onward with drawn snbres. AZ
the greatest speed, the foremost were sud.
denly stopped, and those behind, unable to
restrain their horses, fell one upon another,
forming q large pile of men and horses,
some of whom, pierced through with the
sabres OF their own comrades, were killed,
and many in the promiscuous heap were
crushed and died unable TO help or extri.
cate themselves.
A few only escaped fleeing across the
fields to the mountains 2f7
All the time the rebels kept up n veil.
and killed many with their sabres and bay
onets who lay wounded upon the ground.
There were still in the rear of this ILL.,
tated detachment quite large force of
cavalry. 1t consisted of five companies
Of the Vermont cavalry, under Col. Tomp.
ktus, and seven companies of Ira Harris
Guard, under Col. De Forrest, left behind
to form the rear guard
The Vermont cavalry were ordered 10
make q reconnaissance 70 Woodstock to
ascertain whether Jackson WAS in the
rear.
Oar squadron charged through the town,
n nd INnW1 l1,aE =
this movement 10 ascertain the position of
the enemy behind us. Il had no result In
accomplishing the object which was inten-
ded, and they Immediately commenced
their retreat toward Winchester. When a
mile beyond Cedar Greek they met STAN
pede among the baggage wagons.
After the affair previously. described, in
which the Main and Vermont cavalry suf-
tered so severely, the enemy turned back
upon the baggage train which was between
them at Strasburg, and caused the greatest
confusion which can be imagined. The
wagons, some of them were turned about
and running against others broken down,
filling up the roads, while the mules aud
horses and cattle remaining in the greatest
fright, produced an indescribable state of
confusion.
The cavalry finding the road to Win
and an enemy, had no other alternative
than to turn their horses toward strns-
burg. ni r5E ~
They had crossed Cedar Greek, and taken,
with them the Zouayes d. Antique. whom
they found upon the bridge. A line of
battle was then formed, the Zouavcs form
ing in the rear. aa
Abattery was also there which they we're
supporting. This was placed in position,
and shells were thrown into the woods be.
yond. As soon as the battery commenced
firing the rebel skismishers commenced TO
ndyance with yells of defiance, pouring
volleys of musketry upon us, and very soon
battery responded to ours.
Two, companies of cavalry were now
drawn up on each side of the battery, and
one in the rear with the Intention of max
ing charge. 1t soon became obvious that
the enemy were there in strong force, and
they knew We had no infantry.
Major Sawyer, of Vermont cavalry,
spoke to his colonel of mountain road.
Had they Eow commenced the charge
they would doubtless have been all cut to
pieces like the others, and been forced to
surrender.
Col. Tomson, not knowing the road him
self, ordered the major, if he were ac-
quainted with it, to lead them through.
The major undertook the task. The
cavalry was led back toward Strasbnrg,
recrossing Cedar Greek, and there SO close.
y were they pursued that another line of
battle was formed. The enemy obtained
the range very accurately, aud shells fell
80 rapidly thHtthey again retreated.
Col. DeFofrest, with the New York cav
airy, was soon met, and inquired of Col.
Tomson his intentions, who said he was
! Nr,e u, 1T,
they afterwards proceeded together, taking
course through the forests and fields
which seemed to lead in the direction of
the road for which they were seeking
Soon they reached it. .a4sa
Col, Tompkins remained some time In
Strasburg to direct the planting of a bat
terry near the Notifications erected there,
but soon left aud took the woods for the
road along the mountains.
The whole force of cavalry were soon up
the mountain road, and were proceeding
finely, recrossiDg Cedar creek again. aud
moving rapidly toward Winchester.
At ! l or twelve o'clock at night they ar.
rived in town, relieving the anxiety that
had been felt for them, who It Wis supposed
had been cut of and captured.
An hour later the enemy's lines extend-
ed as far as the mountaiu.
Early upon the following morning the
enemy attacked ouritwo brigades - seven
regiments, containing 900 men.
There is ridge extending along the
West.of the town, and along the side of this
our infantry WAS Placed-Gordon,s brigade
upon the right and DounelIy's upon the
left, The enemy occupied position where
there. were woods in theFear, With rifle pits
aud batteries in front Of GordOu's brigade,
not more than bal + mile distant. 2
!. When General Banks came out the ce6-
ter was felt to he too much weakened; still.
10 flank our right, which was, in conse.
quence strengthened BY the removal oisa
regiment from the left 5t.s It'd 5t e5
The enemy advanced, firing along the
hill and s9pp from tFo diFeStiOns, poured
! in YoIleY aftar YolIeT nnnn na With shnt and