Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-07
FROM WINCHESTER.
W1NcnEsrER, March Is. IN

W1ScHEsTER, March %, 1862.
Editors InteLEigencer :.5.s.tz, :,q.5
How true it is that events long looked
for come finally when least expected
Nothing could have happened more sur.
prising to the uninitiated than the attack
on our troops ut Winchester on Saturday
the 22d of March, by the rebel forces. 4
part of our troops had but just returned
from reconnaissance some five miles south
OF StrasburR-having driven the enemy be-
fore them, like chaf before the wind. On
the morning of that same day Gen. Banks
division took up the line of march for
BerryYille, fling in military order through
the streets of Winchester. Gen. Shields
division were quietly reposing in their
various eucampments along the Martins
burg pike, north of. Winchester About
two o'clock in the evening, the dull thund-
ering of heavy artillery was heard to the
sOuthwcnst, andivery shortly our scouts re.
ported the enemy's approach with consid-
cradle cavalry and artillery force. Our
pickets were forced to retire before them
with faint efforts at diminishing. AT four
O'Clock P NJ, the retreating pickets, then
within one mile of Winchester, were gall
lantly sustained by the First Maryland In
faDtry, who being slightly protected by a
stone fence poured a destructive volley into
the yelling and exultant rebels, who in their
excited imaginations had already occupied
Winchester.
Gen. Shields and staff. with Capt. Car
mans company of tho 1st Virginia Caval-
ry as body guard, advanced along the
road until within full view of the enemy's
batteries.
Gen. Shields ordered Que of our batter
les in position, hanked right and lett by
one regiment of infantry, as supporters
and skirmishers. The enemy saluted us
with some heavy cannon shot, killing Que
man and a horse. The next volley sent
shell among us, one of which bursting
scattered its murderous fragments thick
around, one of which wounded General
Shields, breaking his left arm above the
elbow. With calm fotitude he remained
in command, ordering the troops in posi-
tion as fast as they came up, until the Of
der of battle was completed. He then re-
tired to a dwelling near at hand, that he
might hear reports of the holly contested
artillery engagement. 1t was sharp and
short, the enemy being evidently unable to
sustain himself against the number and
superiority of our guns.
Il, Thus passed the day, and night threw
her sable curtain over the coutending
hosts.
"And Thousands lay down on the ground O'errOwer-
The weary to rest and the wounded to de-"
Both armies slept upon their arms on the
contested field. On Sunday morning we
learned that the enemy had heavy re.
serve near at hand, and their visible forces
were drawn up in line of battle fronting
two aud a half miles, some four miles
south of Winchester. Our troops were
brought into position, the 9Th Ohio thrown
out as skirmishers, cavalry and artillery
deployed as a feint on the enemy's right,
the 18th and 18th Indiana, seth Illinois
with detachments of eth Ohio on our left,
with Capt. Reeves company lst Virginia
cavalry, and an Ohio batteryaof six guns,
Daum's battery in the centre, flanked by
she 9th Ohio. The enemy's batteries now
shelled the 18th and l4th Indiana, 39th
terry were paying their respects to large
bodies of rebel infantly posted in woods
some three fourth of a mile distant. Rapid,
heavy and skilful cannonading continued
two hours, together with the necessary
disposition of infantry and cavalry. AT
half past three o'clock P. NJ, Coll Tyler's
brigade hanked by the 1st Virginia cayal-.
ry, were ordered to charge on the enemy's
left battery. The 7ths Ohio led the attack
supported by the 1st Virginia cavalry. 5th
and 9th Ohio, S4th and II 10th Pennsylva-
MIA. The enemy being sheltered by q stone
wall poured successive and deadly vOllies
into our gallant troops. The bullets few
thick and fast, like storm of leaden hail,
and for one hour our troops bore up
against it. ~
By this time, the 18th and 14th Indiana,
Seth Illinois, 62d and eth Ohio were in
-. 4 Al
right wing: And now for, another half
hour the ightrages along the entire line.
The appearance of the fight at this stage
Some Of the infantry became slightly dis.
ordered from .shelteriDg behind trees
while others were advancing. The entire
line being ordered to load aud charge bay,
onets, Capt Carman dashed In among the
scattered infantry, urging them forward
and the enemy gave way IN dire confusion
before the impetuous charge.
The lst Virginia Cavalry, under COM
mand Of Major Chamberlain, and led by
Capt. Carman, effected a gallant charge,
capturing two captains and -four liepten-
ants and one hundred and fifteen priVates.
Capt. Holloway, of the 27th Va, delivered
his sword to Capt. Garman,I saying: al
fought you while I could. l surrender
myself q prisoner" Such is the fate of
war, "a : al5iat %
Coll 4uisanseli display red both skill and
courage throughout the engagement. Oar
troops behaved gallantlYy and If tho sun
had stood still two hours, as once for
Joshua, JscksopIs army would have been
annihiIated. We pursued the flying foe to
Strashurg and their killed lay all along
the road. We, lost about l25 killed, and
800 iweunaed TIE enemy lost 925 killed,