New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-26
THE FIRST DAYS sKIRMISH NEAR WIN
CHESTER

MORE INELIGIBLE ACCOUNr-GES. sHiLLDs
BADLY wOUNDED-PROMPT RESPONSE OF
OUR FORCEs-REPEL SPIES IN TIE UNION
CAsIP.
From The Philadelphia Inquirer. =,
On Saturday, the 22d inst, about o'clock, small
parties OF Ashbys Cavalry came within sight Oh tne
Union pickets, aud series Of desultory firing took
place between them. This continued for some time
without effect on either side, until about or clock
IN the afternoon, when the enemy made their appear
ance in large numbers, and commenced driving IN
the pickets
messenger was dispatched to Gen. Shields, but
before re-enforcements arrived the Rebels with
in mile and half of the town, having advanced
as far as the Stone House Mill, on the Strasburg
Turnpike, and within full sight of the town. From
this point they fired into some baggage wagons and
tents stationed on the outskirts OF the town, but
without damage.
Not knowing the precise nature Of The attack, the
whole Of Gen. Shields division were calledto arms,
and held in readiness Thee batteries Of artillery
were cent 10 the OF action, aud sharp skirmlsh
ensued. The Rebels had four pieces placed at dier-
ent ponts the roads and hills, supported by Ash
by's Cavalry and some companies OF infantry.
Some eight or ten shots were fred by them, mostly
shells the majority OF which burst in ting air over
the Union troops.
During the fight, Gen. Shields, who commanded
in person, was struck by fragment OF q shell on
the upper part o. the left arm SCATTERING the bone,
producing u compound IfaClufe, anu IL Nho iedftu
ampulaton would become necessary. The General
remained on the field after being wounded, giving
his orders until the close Of the fight, when he war
conveyed 20 the residence OF Mr.. George Sewers,
formerly connected with the Farmers Bank OF
Winchester On Sunday n9rrng The General was
in cheerful spr ts though suffering some pain up TO
that time il was not known whether or not anlu-
taticn would be necessary.
Our loss consisted OF one man killed, belonging to
the Isl Michigan Cavalry one wounded, aud one or
two horses killed or wounded. Up 10 Sunday morn
ing - bodies Of the Rebels hsd been discovered In
different parts OF the of action and number
Of wounded were carried oil by them in their retreat
The Rebel force in tho affair l. estimated at from.
1900 to 1890. The rapicity of the firing of our
artillery gave rise 10 the belief in town that gen
era action was taking place, aud that jackson had
returned In force.
1t Is generally accredited here that information
bad been carried 10 the Rebels that the Union forces
had left the town, with the exception Of guard for
police DUTY. Ii was not generally known among
the inhabitants that Gen. Sheldsr division was
living some three o. four miles north Of the town.
Acting on information conveyed 10 them an easy re-
capture of theplace was anticipated. Ii was cur
renily reported that two OF three of Ashbys Cayai-
ny were in the town on Saturday morning, IN the
Disguise Of farmers, peddlng butter, eggs, Nc and,
Seeing movement OF troops from that place, con-
eyed information which led to the above skismish.