The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-20
Gen. Mllroy's Account of the Fight at VIM
chester and his Retreat.

Uen. Mll1Oy Was III OdiliLhoioo vi W NNHoNNJ
and gave the editors of the American the follow
ing account Of The rebel attack upon his position
at Winchester
At the time he left the Ferry, forty-two mem
bers Of Alexander Maryland Battery had ar
rived, and II was believed 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 as Col.
SchIey' S, who was absent in Baltimore The
enemy turned the guns of the Maryland battery
on this regiment, and tor a time they were in
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 good numer OF them
are prisoners OF war.
The sixth Maryland regiment, which was re-
ported to have been cut up and entirely d.
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 at their head 1t seemed as if they
had risen from the dead. and their return caused
great astOnshment.
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 ta6en back OF the
works. la the confusion of the assault made
by the rebels they were neither disarmed or
placed under auard, and Col. Howe, knowing
the country we'll, and seeing an opportunity to
escape by side road, formed his men in line,
and IN the darkness OF the evening moved quiet
ly of. They were compelled to take q cHcultous
road to reach the Ferry, but went on Their way
rejoicing, with neither an enemy IN front nor
lpursuers in the rear
The cavalry force of Gen Milr5y consisted of
the LIST New York, l3th Pennsylvania and two
companies of the Sd Virginia. Gen, Mroy or
dered them to retreat to Romuey and Cumber-
land, and he yesterday received o dispatch an
nouncnc their safe arrival at that place
The outer works at Winchester were carried
by the rebels by storm at SIX clock on Sunday
evening, and The whole Qualifications strongly in
, vested by force Of not less than fifteen thou
. sand men under Gen Ewel. 1t became at once
a question Of ultimate surrender, or to make Il
bold dash to force their way through the enc
my's lines, and council of war held on Sun
2 day night, unanimously advised an evacuation
, The large guns md his artillery were all spiked
at once, and at one o. clock on Monday morning
:. he abandoned everything except hIs horses, anc
struck boldly through the enemys lines. The
movement was so rapid that the enemy was
taken by surprise, and the night being quite
dark, the movement, so tar as the troops imme
dateIy investing the works were concerned, wat
accomplished with but little loss.
They were followed by cavalry, and grea
many straggleTs taken prisoners, but when louI
miles this side of Winchester at the junction
of the road leading from Berryville to Bunker
Hill and Martinsburg, they were intercepted
strongly posted in the woods on the road side
Gen. Mllroy rallied his men, and made seyera
attempts 10 storm and capture their batteries
but WAS driven back.
Daylight was now rapidly approaching, an(
it was deemei prudent to endeavor again to Cut
their way through the enemy's hnes which wa
successfully accomplished and being without
artillery, they suffered considerably, especially
in prisoners captured, before the enemy gave al
the pursuit.
About twelve o'clock on Monday they reached
IIalltown, and the enemy having abandoned
the pursuit. they, after short rest, marched
into Harpers Ferry during the afternoon. The
gallant fellows were IN u sad condition after 81
severe march and fight, but they were foil o
spirit aud qualification that they had escaped tn
clu ches of the enemy
All the stores, ammunition and wagons n
Winchester fell into the hands of the enemy
together with all the artillery, not gun havin
been saved