Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-23
Gen. Mllr0y's Account Of the Fight al Vim
chester and his Retreat.

Gen. Nlilroy was in Baltimore on Wednesday
and gave the editors of the American the follow
ing account OF The rebel attack upon his position
al Winchester
At the time he left the Ferry. forty-two mem
bers of Alexander Maryland Battery had ar
rived, and Ii was believed a considerable num-
Der had made their escape in the direction OF
Romney and Cumberland. They mostly secured
their horses and have probably accompanied the
cavalry.
The only Maryland regiment that suffered
severely was the fifth regiment, known az Col,
Schleys, who was absent in Baltimore. The
enemy turned the guns Of the Maryland battery
on this regiment, and Tor time they were 10
hot position. The number killed and wounded
is not known, though but few Of them escaped
either casualties or capture. They fought brave
ly, and 1t is hoped that god numer OF them
are prisoners OF war.
The sixth Maryland regiment, which was re-
ported to have been cut up and entirely DE-
stroyed, to the astonishment OF every one, came
marching into Harper's Ferry yesterday after.
noon, with their flags flying, arms at rest, and
singing /" Hail Columbia, with the gallant
Col Howe ut their head 1t seemed as If they
had risen from the dead. and their return caused
great establishment.
1t appears that at the commencement OF
the assault ON Winchester they were entirely
cut off, and being surrounded by an immense
force surrendered, and were taken back of the
works. la the confusion OF the assault madr
by the rebels they were neither disarmed
placed under 6uard, and Col. Howe, knowing
the country well, and seeing an opportunity to
escape by side road, formed his men in line,
and in the darkness OF the evening moved quiet
! " of. They we're compelled TO take orcu ltous
road to reach the Ferry, but went on their way
rejoicing, with neither an enemy in front nor
pursuers in the rear.
The cavalry force Of Gen. Milroy consisted Of
the lst New York, 18th Pennsylvania and two
companies of the Sd Virginia. Gen. Mllroy or
dered them to retreat to Romney and Cumber.
land, and he yesterday received dispatch an
nouncng their safe arrival at that place.
The outer works at Winchester we're carried
| by the rebels by storm at SIX clock on Sunday
evening, and the whole Notifications strongly In
vested by a force OF not less than fifteen thou
sand men under Gen Ewell. Ii became at once
a question of ultimate surrender, or TO make q
bold dash to force their way through the enc
my's lines, and a council of war held on Sun
day night, unanimously advised an evacuation
The large guns and hIs artillery were all spiked
at once, and ut one o'clock on Monday morning
he abandoned everything except his horses, and
struck boldly through the enemys lines. The
movement was so rapid that the enemy wal
taken by surprise, ami the night being quite
dark, the movement. so far as the troops lmme
diately investing the works were concerned, wal
accomplished with but little loss.
They were followed by cavalry, and grea
many stragglers taken prisoners, but when iou
miles this side Of Winchester, at tho junction
of the road leading from Berryvile to Bunke
Hill and Martinsburg, they were intercepted
by strong rebel force with artillery, AM
strongly posted 10 the woods on the road side
Gen. Mllroy rallied his men, and made seyers
attempts To storm and capture their batteries
but WIS driven back
Daylight was now rapidly approaching, an,
1t was deemed prudent to endeavor again to Gu
their way through the enemy's lines which wa
successfully accomplished; and being withou
artillery, they suffered considerably, especial
in prisoners captured before the enemy gave u
the pursuit.
About twelve clock on Monday they reache
IIalltown, and the enemy having abandone
the pursuit, they, after short rest, marche
into Harpers Ferry during the afternoon. Th
gallant fellows were in a sad condition after s
severe march and fight, but they were full Q
spirit and qualification that they had escaped th
clu ehes OF the enemy.
All the stores, ammunition and wagons q
: Winchester fell into the hands of the enemy
together with all theartllery, not gun havin
been saved.