The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-12-01
Battle Of Ejshee's~AW.

Kettle Of Fisher . bSSlAs -
The foIlowing another Letter from Col Starr to bis
wife, descrihing the battle Of Fishers HI, which we
are psEnitts1 toeopy: II
HsADpuAErEns, DzrAKTxEsr WEsr VA,
CEDAR GEEK Oct. 18th, lso4.
You reu.ember that the battle Of Winchester was
fauRh4on fheisth Of September. Gar forces followed
the enemy next day, and up with them at stras-
burg Dr. properly at Fishers Hin, miles southwest
of the town They had fortified very strong IA turai
position The south side 1f Fishers Creek, small
stream that puts into the Shenandoah from the west
hsnandoah lays the east side Of the valley at this
point. BY referring to the enclosed map IN pencil
you viii understand that we approached their works
from the North. In addition their main works as
shown, they had strong line OF skirnishers along
their entire 'front.' just where lines took potion
before the final charge. This skirmish line also
fortified They considered position iupregnabie
and their men on the skirmsh line called to
administers 70 come 20 Fishers Hill, which we dill.
The 18th corps was found left, the 9th on
the righ. with the army Of West Virginia Crooks
in reserve under of woodland About noon the
Isth aud 9th corps ordered - drive in the enemys
skirmishers and there To stop while Gen Crooks com
mand ordered to move TO the extreme right, and
by climbing along the side Of North Mountain to gam
the flank of the enemy, then By charge down the m
side of the works TO carry them. By two o'clock
p. N. the 10th and 9Th corps had performed their
work and lay down their faces shown on the map
We then commenced our part, by moving quietly I'M
der cover Of the wood and ravines obliquey to the
right until gained position on the side OF North
Mountain, see map. The enemy caught glimpses OF
us before we reached our intended position and opened
on us from two batteries-but nobody hurt after
attaining their flank halted, faced % the front and
n ust be IL
messed to be appreciated. In few minutes we emerg
ed from the woods and fell the astonshed Johnnes
ike clap of thunder. Shooting, Yelling An charg-
ing on and on went excited boys. The first OF
rebel works poured shower Of bullets into us, and
the next minute in our hands. All the rebel
batteries that could be brought to bear on US opened
furiousy, bat shells Eor grape and canister, had the
power even to check our advance. Charging down in
the rear of their breas:works, continually doubled
their left back ITSELF gun after guu was abandoned
to crossed the open but fortified field, IN the
part of the valley. After we had broken their
lines and driven them about mile, Averfis cavalry
dashed from their ambuscade crossed in front OF u.s.
taking the flying grey backs prisoners by the hundred
Now all this remember on the north side OF
Fishers Creek, and within mile and half of our
starting point
The enemy retreated 20 the south side of Fishers
Creek and attempted TO check the crest of high
wooded hill that fanked their main works Now came
the crisis our lines broken into utter confusion
in the two miles already passed over owing to the
fact that outrun other men as well into
a fight as out of one The best wind and limb did
the fighting The color bearers being always picked
men and carrying no heavy musket or cartridge box,
were foremost and this moment faced six stand OF our
colors near the crest Of the hill, under sweeping
shower of bullets, without support enough to form
guard for single stand When they could g"
no further they halted waving their coors and cheer
ing until men without regard to regiment, scrambled
up to them and formed hasty line for the charge.
A line of drawer never were formed, than vol
UNFAIRLY rushed to tie protection of those waving
colors No sooner formed than with cheer they dis
appeared in the heavy shade of the wooded hill top
Their cheers were drow by the continuous of
rnusketry that vainly sought to give them check /
Heated and breathless they gained the summit, firing
as they ran up. Down went the enemy on the other
side with boys close on their heels shouting and
shooting. The at this stage battles all descrip
,ion We were in the midst of the rebel camp and of
course inside of their Notifications Crooks little
army of 5000 almost surrounded by Zooop de-
noralized grey backs, who took advantage OF every
crest open field to return our fire as they ned from
u.s. Daylight fast leaving us, and as we pressed
on it became almost impossible to tell friend from Toe
We had come three miles on IulI
was still to 60 The whole rebel army in dis
orderly retreat The 9th and 10th corps passing
over the works left and without opposition
in good line of battle. When reached the turn
pike it was dark, but the red flashes from ridge of
ground that run across the road showed US the final
stand of the enemy.
Our faded without hating, charged and drove I
them off towards Woodstock. Gen. Sheridan dashed (
past to the front half crazy with delight, telling US as
he passed that we had done WE'LL and to bivouac for (
the night and gladly did that little army stretch its
weary limbs the ground, having neither dinner,
supper nor blankets, but the wild enthusiasm Of VIC
tory, was both food and covering.
We took 1000 prisoners, IL guns and l2OO stand
small arms, glory enough for one day. While Crooks
army rested and slept the 10th corps that had scarce
been in action all day continued the pursuit, assisted
by the Cavalry and light Artillery.
As ever, good night W. c. ,.