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

up their positions on entering the town after dark
without expect atoms Of battle, and were at dis
adv sptsRe az compared with the enemy.
The rafting Of kerry was heard during the
latter part OF tho night and before the break Of day
sharp engagement o'cnrred at the 0utpOs,S. Boon
after o'clock the artillery opened its fire, which
continued without cessation till the close Of the
engagement.
The right Of our line was composed Of the Third
Brigade, Col. George II. Gordon commanding. The
regiments were strongly posted and near the center
covered BY stone walls from the fire Of the enemy
Their infantry opened on The right, and soon bO.h
lines were under heavy fire.
The left was occupied by the Third Brigade, Col
Dudley Donney, commanding.
The line was weak compared with that Of the
enemy, but the troops were ported, and patiently
awaited, as they notly improved, their coming OPP
portuDity. The earliest movements Of the enemy
were on our left two regiments being seen TO move
as with the purpose Of occupying poeition IN flank
or rear. Gen. Hatch sent detachment Of cavalry
TO intercept t is movement, when it was apparently
abandoned. The enemy suffered very serious loss
fIom the fire Of our infantry the left. One regi
nient 10 represented by perso. present during the
action, and after the field was evacuated as nearly
destroy ed.
The main body Of the enemy was hidden during
the early part Of the action by tho crest Of the hill
and the woods In the rear
Their force was messed apparently upon our right,
and their maDeuvers indicated purpose to turn ns
upon the Bsrryville road. where ]. appeared subse.
quently, they lad placed considerable force, with
y view of preventing re-enforcements from Harlers
Ferry But the steady fire Of our lines held them Ia
check until small portion Of the troops the right
OF our line made Q movement 10 the rear. II 10 but
just TO add that this was done under the erroneous
impression tina, an order to withdraw had been
given. No sooner WIS this observed by the enemy
than his regiments swarmed upon the crest Of the
ILL., advancing from the woods upon our right,
which, still continuing its ire steadily, withdrew
toward the town.
The overwhelming force Of the enemy now sud.
denly showing ITSELF making further resistance I'M
wise, orders were sent to the left by Capt. De
Hauteyille to withdraw, VIII oh was done reluct-
sntJy, but in order, the enemy having greatly snf
fered in that wing. portion Of the TROOPS passed
through the town in some confusion, bet Tue column
was soon reformed and continued its march IN order
This engagement held the enemy in check for hive
hours.
The forces engaged were greatly unequal. Indie
posed 10 sccept the early rnnors concerning the
eneny's strength, reported 10 the department that
il was about 1900 II 10 now conc usiyey shown
that not lees than 25 90 in position, and
could have been brought into action. On the right
and left, their great superiority Of numbers were
plsiuly felt and seen, and the signal officers, from
elevated positions were enabled 10 count the rtgi
mental standards, Indicating strength equal 10 that
have stated.
NV own command consisted Of two brisGdes Of
less Than 1900 men, al told with 800 cavalry, ten
Parrot guns, and one battery Of 6-poundere e1ooth
bore cannon To this should be added the 10th
Maine Regiment Of infantry. and five companies OF
Mary land cavalry, stationed at Winchester, which
were engaged in the action. The loss of the enemy
was treble that Of ours in killed and wounded. In
prisoners ours greatly exceeded theirs.
Officers whose word cannot doubt, have stated
a. the result Of their observation, that our men
through Winchester; but I am eredibIy informed,
and gladly behave, that the atrocities s.id TO tavc
been p<rpetrst<d upon our vounSed sid'er b,y The
Rebel, are greatly exaggerated % entirety un'so.
Our march was turned in tho direction Of Marine
burg, hoping there to meet with re-enforceinents-
the trooI moving in three parallel columns, zach
protected BY efficient rear guard Pursuit by the
enemy prompt and vigorous, but our movements
were rapid and without loss.
A ew miles from Winchester the sound OF The
st.a whistle heard in the direction Of Msrinsbnrg,
the hope OF endorsements, and stirred
the blood Of the men like q trumpet Soon after
two squadrons Of cavalry came dashing down the
rosd. with wild hurrahs. They were thought TO be
tie advance Of the anticipated support, AMI received
with desfeniDg cheers.
Every man felt like turning back upon the enemy.
Ii proved 10 be the Frst Maryland cavalry, Lieut..
Col Wetscbky, sent out in the morning u train
guard. Hearir the guns, they hsd returned to par
tiCipate in tie fight. Advantage was taken OF this
stirring incident reorgabize our column, and the
march was continued with renewed spirit and ardor
At Martipsburg the column halted Two and hall
houn-the rear guard remaining until in The even
ing in Of the townand arrived ut the river a.
snndown 48 hours after the frs. n-ws Of the attack
on Front Royal. 1t was march Of IS miles, - Of
which were performed IN one day.
The scene ut the river when the rear guard ar
rived was Of the most animaing and exciting de-
scliption. A thousand camp fires were burning on
the hill,ide; thousand carriages Of every descrp.
ton were crowded upon he bank, and the broad
river between the exhausted troops and their covei-
ed rest.
TIE ford was too deep for the teams 10 croes 10
rex Mar succession Only the strongest horses after
a few experiments were allowed the passage Of the
nver before morning.
The single ferry was occupied by ihe ammunition
trsins, the ford by the wagons.
The cavalry was secure in it's form Of crossing.
Tie TROOPS only had no transportation Fortunately,
the train We had sedulonsly guarded served us in
turn Several boats belonging to the pontoon train
which we had brought iIom Strasburg, were
launched and devoted exclusively 10 their servic
IL is ecldom that river crossing OF zach magnitude
Is achieved with greater success. 1he.e never
were more greteful hearts IN the eamc number Of
men, than when, at MD DAY on tne 2oth we Stood
on tho opposite shore.
Nv command had not suffered an attack and rou,,
but accom-, lshed q prtmcdhaied march Of rear 20
miles il ME face Of the enemy, defeating bis plans
and giving him battle wherever be was round.
Our lu,s il stated in detail, with tine Of the
killed, wounded Ind missing, in the full report Of
Bripadier General A. 3. Williams, commanding d.
ynion, 10 which reference is made
The whole number of killed 10 SO; wounded, 155;
Nursing, III. Total loss, 905.
IL il undoubtedly true that many Of the missing
will yet return, aud the entire loss may be assumed
ss not exceeding 700. 1t j, also probable that the
number OF xii ed and wounded may lie larger than
thst above stated but the aggregate loss will not be
changed thereby.
III our gnDs were saved.
Our wugon-,rain consisted Of nearly 500 wagons |
Or this number IS Were lost. They were NOT, with
INT felY exceptone. Abandoned 70 the enemy, but L