Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-30

1
From the Baltimore American, June Is.
Gen. miIroy,s Retreat from Winches-
ter 10 Harper's Ferry--He Loses All
His Artillery Stores, ANN unition
and Wagons.
Major General Milroy reached Baltimore at l
o'clock this morning. IRON Harper's Ferry. and
returned again with his staff on a special train at
IL o'clock. He came down TO have n personal
interview with Major Gesersl Sche0ck. and 10
waive aI clsims OF rark in interfering with the
command at that point. He. however, desired TO
retarn 10 his men. aud volunteered TO act m any
position thathe might be deemed most s%ervicea-
BILE. ~ q &
: We had A. brief conversation with him, and
were pleased to learn that his forces have not
suffered to so great an extent as was supposed.
At the time he left the Ferry, sorty-two members
of Aiexander's Maryland battery had arrived, and
it WIS believed a considerable number 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 sc
yerely was the fifth regiment, known as Col.
Schley's, who was absent in Baltimore. The
enemy turned the guns of the Maryland battery
on this regiment. and for a time they were IN a
very hot position. The number killed and
wounded is not known. though but few OF them
escaped either casualties or capture, They
fought bravely, and it is hoped that a good num-
Der of them are prisoners OF war.
The sixth Maryland regiment, which was re
ported to have been cut up and almost DESTROYED.
to the astonishment Of every one, came marching
into Harper's Ferry Yesterday afternoon, with
their flags flying, arms at rest, and singing Hail
Columbia" with the gallant Col. Howe at their
head. Ii seemedlike as if they had risen from
the dead, and their return caused great astonish-
ment. a sh
1t appears that at the commencement OF the
assault on Winchester thcy we're entirely cut oh,
and being surrounded by an immense force. sur
rendered. and were taken back of the works. In
the confusion Of the assault being made by the
Rebels, they were neither disarmed or placed
under guard, and Col. Howeknowing the country
well. and seeing an opportunity 10 escape by a
side road, formed his men in line. and i'm the
darkness of the evening moved quietly off They
were compelled to take a circuitous 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 oil
the 1st New York. 18th Pennsyivania and two
companies of the Sd Virginia Gen. Milroy or
dered them to retreat 10 ROmney and Cumber
land. and he yesterday received a dispatch an.
nopncirg their safe arrival at that place.
The outer works at Winchester were carried
by the Rebels by storm at 6 o'clock on Sunda,
evening. and the whole notifications strongly in
vested by a force Of not less than fifteen thousand
men, under Gen. Ewell 1t became at once q
question of ultimate surrender, or to make a bolC
dash to force their way through the enemy's lines
and a council Of war held on Sunday night imam
mously advised an evacuation. The large gun.
and his artillery were all spiked at once, and Mt
o'clock on Monday morning he abandoned every
thing except his horses. and struck boldly through
the enemy's lines. The movement was so rapis
that the enemy WAS taken by surprise, and. tn,
night being quite dark, the movement, so far al
the troops Immediately investing the works wen,
concerned, was accomplished with but little loss
They we're followed by cavalry. and a grea
many stragglers taken prisoners. but, when fou
miles this side of Winchester, ct the junction O
the road leading from Berryville to Bunker Hill
and Msrtinsburg, they were intercepted by
strong Rebel force with artillery. and strongl,
posted in the woods on the roadside. Genera
Milroy rallied his men and made several attemDt
to storm and capture their batteries, but wa
driven back.
DAYLIGHT was now rapidly approaching, and
was deemed prudent to endeavor again to Gu
their way through the enemv's lines, which wa
successfully accomplished though being withou
artillery, they suffered considerably before th
enemy gave up the pursuit. especially in the Cap
ture of prisoners.
About 10 o'clock, Monday, they reached Hall
town. The enemy having abandoned the pur
suit, after a short rest they marched to Harper
Ferry during the afternoon. The gallant fel
lows were in a sad condition after so severe
march and fight, but were full of spirit and graft
f~cation that they had escaped the clutches of tn
enemy- d
All the stores. ammunition and wagons a
Winchester fell into the hands of the enemy, to
gether with all the artillery, not a gun havin
been saved. 1l3
The telegraph is again working to Harper
Ferry this morning. and, MS far as can be aSceI
tanned. there have been no Rebel movements o
the Maryland side of the river. The teiesr ip
office has been moved on to the Marylan
Heights. and there is every reason TO believe tina
il the enemy approach in force the town win D
abandoned. and the whole force retire across th
river to the extensive works erected on tina
strong position.
The folly of attempting to stand a siege i
Harper's Ferry was demonstrated last year. an
there is no doubt that il will be soon IL il has IC
already been evacuated. Every preparation Ia
been made for such an emergency, and the enc
my will obtain but little plumber. The town
thoroughly commanded from the Heights. an
il can be made of but little or no value to III
enemy. e