White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1862-04-03

REPoRrED FOR THE CHIEF.

REPORTED FOR THE CHIEF.
Fall Particulars Of the Battle at Win.
chester.
WINCHESTER, Va. March 25.
The following is full account Of the
recent battle fought near this place:
On Sunday afternoon. the rebel Jack
son. having been incorrectly informed by
the inhabitants, that this town had been
deserted by Union troops. sent force Of
500 cavalry and two guns to retake it.
Our pickets were driven in. when Gen.
Shields brought up his forces. and drove
the enemy back and took sevral prisoners.
Gen. Shields was wounded in the arm by
the enemy's first FIRE.
The Federals slept on their arms all
night. On Sunday morning at sunrise.
jackson being reinforced attacked Shields
near Keamstown. three miles from Win
chester.
The enemy were strongly posted in the
woods, and behind stone wall. The
rebel artillery was posted on eminences
on both sides of their left wing. His
force consisted of 500 of Ashby's cavalry.
5000 infantry. and nine pieces Of artll-
lery, with reserve.
The fght lasted till noon. when charge
was made by the Ohio Infantry, Michigan
lst. and 1st Virginia Cavalry, on their
right, driving the enemy back half a mile.
when they got their guns in position in q
dense wood. aanked by infsutry. and caus-
ed our forces to retire.
A short artillery engagement ensueI.
when Shields ordered Col. Tyler to turn
their left flank, which was done, but with
considerable loss.
The enemy being protected by q stone
ledge. the S4th Pennsylvania and 10Th
Ohio charged their centre. and the fight
became general. Col. Murray, of the S4th
Pennsylvania, was killed.
The enemy returned slowly, bringing
their guns to bear at every opportunity
Our men rushed forward with yells, when
a panic ensued among the enemy. Our
troops followed. and drove them until
dark, capturing three guns, three caissons.
muskets. equipments. &c. innumerable.
Our troops bivouacked on the field.
Gen. Williams First Brigade, Col.
Donnelly, Of the 2Sth New York. COM
manding. reinforced Gen. Shields.
Gen. Banks who was on his way to
Washington. On Sunday. returned and
command.
In the meantime, Gen. Shields division
pursued the enemy beyond Newton, she'll
ing them the whole way.
Jackson's men were perfectly demoral-
lied. and beyond control. They threw
overheard the dead and wounded, to
Tighten the wagons.
1t is noticeable fact that nearly all the
rebels killed and wounded were shot in
the head or breast, testifying the superb
ority Of our markesmen.
The losses on our side were chiefly
Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana troops.
Those who conveyed the false intelli-
,ence to Gen. jackson. causing this dis
'ster to the rebels. have heavy weight
If guilt to shoulder.
1t was evidently known to many in
he town, that Jackson was approaching,
rom the holiday attire and buoyancy of
pirits among the men and women here.
Gen. Shields command being secreted
rom observation on the east side of the
own, led the informsnts to believe that
III our troops were evacuating, and that
'ackson could enter unmolested.
Good judges say the enemy's loss is
yer 200 killed. 500 wounded, and. 300
including an aid to Jackson.
)ur loss is about IS killed and l25
On Sunday morning the rebels rcceiv-
1 reinforcements. under Gen. Garnett,
to 500 men.
The Union forces did not exceed 10. 900.
nd. with the exception of about 500 men,
Gen. Shields division exclusively.
At half.past ten. the enemy made a
lint on our left, commanded by acting
rigadier General Sullivan. opening a
savy fire Of artillery. while the real at
ck was directed against our right, with |
lie object of flanking it.
Gen. Kimball commanded on the right,
here the heaviest fighting was done. If
The rebels were strongly posted in the I
oods. and behind stone wall, and the
bel artillery was posted on emiuences
, both sides of their left wing. c
Our whole artillery force was engaged, q
Of four batteries-24 pieces in q
The contest ragged furiously until 3 P. a
:. the fighting being done chiefly by the b
tillery and musketry, at a range Of not
ore than 300 or 400 yards, and some a
mes much less. Il
The rebel infantry opposite us. now Il
lerged from the woods, and attempted p
capture Dennis Battery by charge.
,e first effort was nearly successful, but "
heavy discharge of grape compelled v
EN- to retire in confusion. A second
d weaker attempt likewise failed. and il
, enemy fell back with heavy loss. be- "
I'D the parapet. Al
Gen. Tyler now ordered his Brigade to b
arge the enemy's batteries on the LEFT, and "
most deadly encounter followed. Twice te
r men receded under the storm. but in p
third effort they routed the rebels with
mendous slaughter. Our loss in these ii
uggles was heavy. a.it
Out of 300 men in the 84th Pennsylva:I
!, 26 were killed and SO wounded.
my officers were killed and wounded
. 9TH and 9th Ohio shared the glory ::
the losses with the 84th Pennsylvs- d d
n, fa