The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-07-04

earnest. Ihe l23d Ohio, and other regi-
heilts were sent out, accompanied by sew
efai heia pieces, and the enemy was soon
forced TO skulk away into the woods. Thus
skirEnishing continued ali day, with a loss
OF some 10 killed and wounded on GU, side
anc more than twice that. amount On the
part otthe enemy. Night brought cessa-
ton OF hosuGties, but thousand rumros
were rife. Firing had been heard at Ban
het ltili ana III the direction Of Berrysville
where small CetachInenls of our forces had
been placed.
Every one felt that general attack was
approaching. Prisoners and deserters
from the rebels reported that Eweli was
coming upon US with Jacksons old corps,
and enough besides to make his forces
about 10000 strong. Subsequently we
found this TO be too true. Why was not
something then done to avert the misfor-
tunes ana losses that eventually fell to our
lot? Why was not some such movement
as Banks famous retreat began? But it
v as not to be so. One sharp eve, one cum
ming brain, would have been better to US
then than another brigade. Reinforce
ments could not be expected. in word,
we We're shut In for an unequal contest, on
The plains and hills around Winchester
Sunday morning brought a renewal of the
skirlnishing, and an earnest of what WIS
coming.
Strange to say, during all the forenoon of
Sunday, and indeed during most of the af-
ternoon, the rebels never fired a single can
non although we were playing upon them
with all of our artillery whenever they
showed themselves. During Saturday
night they had constructed defenses, and
dug rifle pits in front, and it was around
these that the brave boys of the I22d and
l23d Ohio, 18th Virginia, and 18th Connec-
ticut gave some exhibitions Of courage and
skill in maneuvering unsurpassed by
anything ever before seen in Winchester
More than adoZen times our brave Buck
eye boys advanced upon the stone walls
and ritie-pits, and drove the enemy at the
point of the bayonet. The fighting all day
was fierce, and without any particular adj
vantage to either side. The losses on both
sides were severe, and nearly equal.
Quite early Sunday morning, Maj. Nor
ris had brought the fragments ofhi noble
detachments from Bunker Hill, and repor-
ted that on Saturday evening the enemy,
1000 strong, attacked his little force of less
than 200 men. After fighting them for
something over an hour, during which
time he lost over one-half of his men, in
Guiding two commissioned officers, he was
forced to retire to the brick church in town.
This proved good plan, and saved them
from any further loss. Through the port
holes of the old church, the brave boys OF
the 10th Ohio volunteers and S7th Pen
nsylvania poured death and wounds into
the rebel ranks, and compelled them to
fall back with heavy loss.
When the enemy We're gone, the Major
stole out in the darkness and silence of the
night, and made good his retreat TO Win
chester. Their escape was almost miracu
lous. The force at Berryville had likewise
met and Guided an Overwhelming force.
and arrived late Saturday night at VIM
chester.
This was the position up to O'Clock Sun
day. Where are the rebel batteries -
was whispered around from camp, and
echo answered ''where?"
About p. M, four heavy guns were
heard away off toward Martinsburg, and
when every one was beginning to look in
quiringly at his neighbor, most terrible
answer came from our right, in the voice CT
forty cannon. Our right batteries were at
tackled! They were supported by the 10th
o. V. l., and Co. G of the 10th o. V. l.
All eyes were turned in that direction
Shells could be seen flying into the fortifi-
cations, and men retreating in crowds be-
fore the terrible fire. If he'll had burst open
under their feet they could not have been
more surprised. In five minutes the rebel
batteries ceased, and 7,000 Of them charged
UP the hill into the fort. Then followed
scenes, which although like others thou
sand times described, never cease to be
most terrifying to the strongest heart. At
ter a desperate but unequal contest of only
a few minutes, seven rebel standards took
the place of our old flag, and the rebels
cheered and yelled like fiends. In five
minutes more all their guns We're playing
on us, throwing a perfect tempest Of shells,
grape, canister and railroad iron. The
10th O. V. /. and S1th Penna.. then went
across to retake the forts, but after march
ing half q mile right under this terrible
dove, Il
march back to the support Of the main fort.
A perfect shower of lead and iron followed
us back, but we reached the fort without
any loss whatever. Then began az artil-
lery duel, as brilliant and terrific as ever
was witnessed, and night at length only
brought cessation Of hostilities.
There we were in that little fort, COM
pletely surrounded, almost out OF ammuni-
ton, and darker day dawning upon as
\ council of war being held, it was decided
best TO eyacuate the place, spike the guns.
and taking nothing but our horses. proceed
quietly towards Mar,snsburg or Harper's
Ferry. It was the only chance, or the
brave Mllroy would never have adopted the
plan. Three days had he unwittingly, but
determinately, fought five times his num-
Der; two long days had he in person sat IN
his seat, fifty feet high, on the flag pole Of
the fort, while shells and balls were flying
thick and fast around, thus Attending one
Of the rarest exhibitions Of coolness and
bravery recorded in all history: but, after
all, he was compelled 10 retire, and nothing
under Gods heavens compelled him 20 do
so bu. superior numbers. The only thing
Milroy is to be blamed fcris for not retreat
ing sooner.
At three o'clock a. N. Monday, that sad
and silent cavalcade moved out as softly as
l funeral procession and went on in safety
lntil we reached Stephenson's Station, four
niles from Winchester, on the Martins
)urg road. Here daylight came upon rs,
md with it from their dark concealinant in
he woods, a host Of 10000 rebels, with SO
pieces of artillery. The cavalry fed ike
Wild pigeons from the sportsman's gun.-
The I22d, 123d and 10th Ohio regiments
harged boldly upon the enemy, as like
wise, did the 9Th and 9th Maryland, s.th
nd 57th Pennsylvania. The 18th O. V. I. |
nd the 18th Virginia were held back a
hort distance, and although under a heavy
re, were not ordered to charge; for soon |
zen. Milroy saw retreat or certain destruc-
ion were the only alternatives, and order
d US all to retreat. OF his arrival at Bal
more, and subsequently at this place,y
rrlI,- alrnaly Cen Elliott |