The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1863-06-26
Correspondence ofthe NeW York Herald.
THE BATTLE NEAR WINCHESTER

o
Correspondence ofths NeW York Herald. 10
THE BATTLE NEAR WINCHESTER
GEN. MILRoY's ATTACK.
Opposite HARpER's FERRY, June
19.-During the morning of Sunday, and
in fact all day, skirIDishing had been GO
ing on between the 18th Connecticut and
the 87th Pennsylvania regiments, and
the skirmishers of Geu. Rhodes (RebeD
army, who had followed Col. McReyuolds'
command in from Berryville, and were
posted in the woods mile cast of Win
chester, and extending across to the Front
Royal road. The Union troops kept close
in upon the town, while the Rebels came
up to the eastern side Of the public ceme-
terry, across which the principal firing
took place. About half-past four the
Rebel skirmishers charged up the Berry
vile and Front Royal Roads to the very
edge of the town, when a we'll directed
fire from our troops sent them back id
confusion to their supporting regiments,
and they, too, caught the panic and rush
ed back to the cover of the tim Der. Gen.
Milroy seeing this and thinking the ene-
my were routed, ordered the 18th and
S7,h to charge down to the timber, and
also ordered Gen. Elliott with the two
regiments who had been skirmishing
south of the town, to advance towards
| Mill creek; but as soon as the troops on
the east side of the town reached the tim
Der, they found the Rebel division drawn
up in force, and before our troops could
realize their position, the enemy opeued
upon them most murderous fire from
the whole line. But one alternative was
left, and that was to get back as best and
as soon as we could. Gen. Elliott charg-
ed down to and drove in the Rebel Skin
mishers in his front to their line of bat
tie on the south side of Mill Run.
THE CoNFEDERATEs IN FORCE.
About five o'clock in the afternoon the
enemy appeared in strong force, with two
eight-gun batteries, directly west of the
main fort, north of the Romney road, and
about fifteen hundred yards west of the
optworks held by the 10th Ohio regi-
ment, and company L, 9th regiment ar
tillery. AS soon as the batteries could
be got into position they opened fire upon
the outwork, and though our pieces re-
piled vigorously, the Rebel general mass
ed his infantry and charged across the
open fields and through the woods up to
the very muzzles of our guns. With
yell the Rebels came across the ditch and
over the breastworks, planted their cclors
| upon the embankment, drove the gunners
from their pieces and the 10th Ohio
! from the works at the point of the bayo-
net, and in less time than [ have taken
to write it, had complete possession of the
position. Such as could made .their way
back to the main fort, and the remainder
were captured or killed.
.,, THE FINAL ATTACK,
General Milroy, finding that the enemy
were already on three, sides of him, and
were moving around toward the Martins
burg road, ordered all the troops and ar
tillely from the south and east of the town
within the line of earthworks encircling
the main works, where the fight between
our own and the Rebel artillery was con-
tinued until nightfall. ..n'.g'
At night the following was the position
of our forces The first brigade, un-
der General Elliott, occupied the main
fort 3 the second, under Colonel Ely, the
town and space between there and the
. main fort, and the third, under Col Nc
Reynolds, were posted,in the star fort.
Shortly after dark the enemy came
charging across the gully between their
new position and the main work, yelling
like tends; but they were met at the ditch
by yolley after volley from infantry, and
after few moments fighting we're repul-
sed. Matters now became quiet, and our
men took advantage of the lull to get
few moments rest from their two days
fighting. At one o'clock on Monday
morning General Milroy called a council
of war, composed of the brigade comman-
ders, and then it was decided to abandon
the works and retreat to Harper's Ferry.
THE EVACUATION OF WINCHESTER.
After the council had concluded to re-
treat, at about 8 O'Clock pm Monday morn
ing the troops were quickly put ID motion,
taking nothing with them except what
they had upon their persons They had
marched ont on the Maftinsburg road
only abou. fous miles when they were
/ firod upon by q strong force .of infantry
and artillery, which had been posted in
the woods to the right of the road.a8As
soon as the firing comsneneed the main
body Of our infantry CHARGED down into