New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-09

and soon sftor Q o'clock the column was on the
march--Col. Donnelly in front, Col. Gordon in the
center, and Gen. Hatch in the rear.
A STAMPEDE.
The column had passed Cedar Creek about three
mes from Strasburg, with the exception Of the
rear guard st in front Of Strasburg, when informa.
ton received from the front that the enemy had
attacked the train, and in full possession Of the
road at Midcleiown. This report was confirmed by
the return Of iu1tives refugees and wagOna, which
came tumbling TO the rear III fearful confusion.
1t being apparent now that our imme diate dang'r
was in front, the troops were ordered 10 the head
Of the column and the train to the rear; and IN
view of possible necessity of our return to Stras-
burg, Captain James w. Albert Topogr phi al
Corps-who associated with him the Zouaves
d'Atrique Captain Collis--was ordered to prepare
Cedar Greek Greek Brdse for tie flames, Ill order
to prevent pursuit IN that direction by the enemy
In the execution Of this order, Capt. Albert and the
Zouaves were cut Off from the column, which they
joined at WillismspOrt. They had At Straburg a
very sharp conflict with the enemy, 10 which his
cavalry suffered severely. An interesting report OF
this affair will be found in the reports Of Capt. Albert
aud Capt. Coils
TIE FIRST CONFLICT.
The head Of the reorganized column, Col. Don
nelly, commanding, encountered the enemy in force
at Middletown, about thirteen miles from Winches-
ter Toree hundred troops had been seen in town.
but it appeared that larger forces were in the
MIA, Col. Knpe was ordered 10 penetrate the woods
on the right and dislodge tie enemy . skirmishers
They were supported by section Of Cothrsn's New.
York Battery. Five companies OF the eDemys cav
airy were discovered in open field in the rear OF
the woods and our artillery, masked at first by the
infantry, opened fire upoa them. They stood fire for
awhile, bet at length re.reated pursued by our ski.
misbers.
The 18th New-York, Lieut.. Col. Brown, was now
brought up, and under q hesvy fire of infantry and
1~
Iniles from the pike. Col Dopn.lly, being informed
AZ that point by citizen in great alarm that 4cOo
men we're in the woods teyond tue men were ANA
ious to continue the fight; but as this would have
defeated object by the loss Of valusble time. with
the exception OF email guard they were ordered to
Iesume the march.
This affair occurred under my own observation,
and have great pleasure in voncbing for the adnir
able conduct Of the officers and men. We lost one
man killed aud some wounded.
This episode, with the change Of front, occupied
nearly al hour, but it saved our column. Had the
enemy vigorously attacked our train while at the
head Of the column, it would have been thrown into
such dire conliob as TO have made successful COZ.
tinuatiop of our march impossible. PENDING ILLS
contts Col. Brodhead of the let Michigan Cavalry
was ordered to advance, aud, If possible, 70 cut bis
way through aid occupy Winchester. II Was the
report Of this energetic ocer that gave US the frst
assurance that our course was yet clear and ne WAS
the first of our column TO enter the town.
THE SECOND COMBAT.
When it was fret reported that the enemy bad
pushed between us and Winchester, Gen. Hatch
was of6er,d to advance with all bis available
alry, from Strssburg, leaving Col. DeForrest to
cover the rear and destroy stores Dot provided with
transportation. Major Vought, 9th Ne~-fork Cav
airy, had been previously ordered " reconnoier the
Front Roy ri road, to ascertain tho p0eiii"n VI the
enemy, whom ne encountered in force Middle
town, and was compelled to fsll back immediately,
followed by the eDeniys cavalry, infantry, and
artillery. In this affair, five OF our men were
killed and several wounded. The ens"ys loss f" not
known.
After repeated attempts TO force passage through
the lines OF the enemy, now advanced to the pike,
Gen. Hatch satisfied that this result could no. be
accomplished without great loss, ono supp"sins our
army to have proceeded but short distance, turned
TO the left, and moved upon a parallel ROAD, made
several Intellectual attempts to eject Junction VITA
the main column. Al Newtown, however, re found
Col Gordon Lolding the enemy in check, and Joired
his brigade Major Collins, with three companies OF
cavalry, misaking the pom. where tie mali Dody Oh
the cavalry left tie road, dashed upon The enemy
until stopped by barricace Of wagons and tie tenn
,cstnons tire Of the infantry aid artillery. His lors
must have been severe.
six companies Of the 9Th New-York, Col Do
Forrest and six companies Of the lot Vermont Cav
alry. Col, Tompkins, after repeated and desperate
Efforts TO effect junction with The main body-,he
road now being filed with infantry, artillery und
csyalry-fell back TO Strasburg, where they found
the Zouavcs D'Afrique. The 9Th New-York, failing
10 effect junction OF Wmchester, and slso at Mat
,insburg camo in a, Clear Spring with train OF 81
wagons and many stIagglers. The lst Vermont,
Col. Iompkins, joined lie at Winche'ter Will Elk
teces II artillery and participated in tue h OF
next morning. Nothing could turpass tie celcrlty
and spirit with which the various companies Of
cavalry executed their movements, or their intrepid
charges upon the enemy.
in which be dischai ged lis duties M CHEF OF Cav
airy in this part OF our march, a. well az 81 the light
vt Winchester and in covering the rear OF our CO.
Irnn TO the river; but especially for the sprit i'
fused into his troops during the brief period OF bic
command. which, by confession OF friend and foe,
had been equal If not SUPERIOR TO the best OF the
epemys long trained mounted troole.
From this point The protection Of the rear OF me
column devoived upon tie forces under Col Gordon.
THE THIRD COMBAT.
The guard having been separated from the column,
and the rear OF tho train having been attacked by
an increased force near the bridge between NeWtown
and Kernstown, Col. Gordon was diIected TO send
back for the u Massachusetts, Lieut. Col Andrews
commanding, the 9th lLdiaIa, Col. Colg'o ve, ana
the 18th New-YOrk, Lieut.-Col. Brown. TO rescue
the rear Of tie train and hold the enemy IL check
They found hin at Newtown with q slrong force oi
infantry, artillery, and cavalry.
The "a MUS achusetts was deployed 10 the heid,
supported by the 18th New-York and the I'm IL
disi,a, and ordered TO drive the enemy IRON tie
town; ana the battery was, az the ralne lime, 20
placed as TO silence the guns Of The enemy.
Both these objects quickly accomplished.
They found il impossible 10 reach hidde,own 70 US
to enable the cavalry under General lialch to JOIN
the column, or to entirely the OF the IRAN.
Large bodies Of the eneny's ca vy par sed upon
JipGt and left and the increased vigor Of bs move.
merits demon strated tie ralii advance of main
body cavalry charge made upon our troops was
received i'll squares the right und on the road, ind
in the lne Of the left which repelled his assault AUD
-. s...A
to burn the disabled wagons. This affair occupied
aereral hnnrf-tLe reQiuells having been moved TO