The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-11-10
CAMP, NEAR STRAsBURG, VAy
October "a. 1861.

Editor OF the JcTers0n.dn, DEAR oin
Hoping to find room in your widely cir
culsted paper, I will pen few lines, for
such of your readers as have friends and
relations in the 9th Regt P. ", and in
the Army of the Shenandoah Valley; and
also those who love aud feel an interest IN
the welfare of the good cause in which
we have engaged. had intended to-
write you the particulars of the Winches
ter and Fishers Hill battles, Immediately
after they occurred, but it was impossible
to do so, on account of our constantly mo-
wing. And as [ am not accustomed to
writing for papers, it requires more time,
than it would for regular correspondent.
As We are not moving at the present time
will endeavor to give your readers few
details of our transaction in the last month,
at the same time hoping that they may
read without stopping to criticise.
We left our breast works, in which we
lay, near Berryville, Va, on the morning
of the 10Th of September, and moved on
different roads leading to Winchester
moving in several columns, with the wag-
on train on the Pike, between them. The
army consisted of three Corps of infantry,
and one of cavalry. After marching sew
eral hours we met with the enemy at the
Opequan Greek, distance Of about six
miles from Winchester, when heavy skir
mishing commenced, which was soon fol
lowed by general engagement, in which
we, at first, were slightly repulsed, owing
to the 10Th Corps not getting formed in
due time, but the boys soon rallied, and
again moved on, charging and yelling like
so many Panthers. The enemy at first
disputed the ground with stubborn re
sistance, but to no purpose. The long
line of Yankees moved steadily and bold
ly on, until the Enemy finally gave way.
causing encouragement in our ranks, and
greater speed over the ground after them.
At the same time we kept pouring vol
ley after volley of bullets, shot and she'll
into them, causing still greater confusion
amongst them. Our cavalry, which occu
pied the right of the line, made grand
charge, by which the Enemys line from
right to left, was broken. Then came the
fun,-as the boys call it. The "Johnies'
running, and the Yanks close upon them
Many dropped their guns and surrender
ed and many more dropped their guns and
scratched pretty lively to get out of the
way. But our boys were taking them on
the "wing," and those they couldn't catch
the cavalry attended to. We took many
prisoners the exact number L don't know
We took FIVE pieces of artillery. The
Enemy moved on towards Fishers hill, at
a distance from Winchester, of about
twenty miles The fighting lasted until
dark, when our boys went into camp west
or southwest Of Winchester, and waited
until the morning of the twentieth They
then followed up closely, until they reach
ed Fishers hill, l,where they again met the
enemy, and there served them the same
trick as the day before. and again took q
great many prisoners, aud 70 pieces OF
artillery. The Rebs were again driven
pell NELL into the mountains, with our
gallant cavalry close upon them and ta
king many prisoners. We then moved
on up the Valley to mount Crawford and
Harrisonburg, when we remained for sew
eral days and foraged the Valley. Gen
eral Sheridan also issued an order to burn
all hay and grain and mills. Then could
be seen for many miles around great
clouds Of smoke and fire ascending towards
the sky. The scene was grand; yet ma
ny who do not realize how much we in
jure and weaken the rebel cause and
strengthen our own by it, think it very
hard act; but we do not, and if we could
only reach some of the other Valleys, we
would serve them the same We think that
we can do as much good by destroying
Rebel property as any other way, and, at
the same time, we hope it will teach them
lesson on burning, and put them in
mind of Chambersburg.
After a few days rest at the above
named place we commenced our retrogade
movement towards Strasburg. aud Fish
ers Hill, were we remained a few days.
and then were ordered to Front Royal
distance south of this place of about ten
miles, where we lay for several days, when
We again received orders to march. We
struck tents, and took up our line Of
march for Alexandria We had marched
one day or nearly, and the advance of the
column had reached the Shenandoah Riv-
er at Ashby's Gap, about twelve or fifteen
miles below Front Royal, where the order
was countermanded, and We turnSu about
and marSned back short distance, and
encamped for the night The next morn
ing we were again on the move, for the
old camp near Strasburg We marched
very hard nearly all day. We finally
reached the bank cf Cedar Creek, and re-
mained there until the morning of the
18th of the month, when we were attack
ed by the Enemy. The Enemy had been
busy all the nioht nassinu alono the side