Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-08-10
From the Confederatel
"HoKE's BRIGADE" A OF TIE v. Va, !
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From the Coufederate]
"HoKE's BRIGADE" A OF TIE v. Va,
July ~, 1854.
AsssRs. EDITORS :-On Saturday, July 18th, this
army left its encampment near Leesburg and took
the road for Winchester by way Of Smokers Gap
in the Blue Ridge. About o'clock, when we had
passed the village of Purcellsville our baggage
train was attacked by the enemys cavalry. They
cut out about seventy wagons and ambulances, anc
were making off with them when Brigader General
Lewis, at the head ofour brigade reached the ground
and changed the aspect of affairs in double.quck
time. The enemy had to abandon many of the wag-
ons and fly for safety, leaving behind about fifteen Of
his troopers killed and wounded on the field We al
so captured from him one piece of artillery Our ar
my crossed the Blue Ridge and took position near
On Sunday afternoon and Monday, it was apparent
from the continual firing Of artillery that the
roy were following us through Suckers Gap IN
force-our cavalry which had been covering our
rear disputing their advance This Gap is posi-
ton easily fanked. Our cavalry fell back in the
evening. In the afternoon of Monday, the 18th,
the enemy advanced in force, and threw large
body of his troops across the Shenandoah where
the Turnpike crosses Our troops were ready to
receive them. The work of shaspshooting was
spirited and severe The enemy had been enabled
to form his line of battle on the north bank of the
river Immediately upon and under cover of the
bank This line was charged by Rode's and a part
of Gordons divisions. The Yankee line was bro
ken, and gave way throughout its entire length !;
the fugitiVes plunged into the river which is here
one hundred and fifty yards in width, and sought
safety in this dangerous mode of retreat Our ri.
femen now had fair chance, and gave ample tes.
timony of their competency in such bloody work.
Never since the sound of the rife was first heard
in this beautiful Valley have the "sea green" wa
tiers of the Shenandoah been so redeemed with hui
man gore as on this afternoon. The water was lit
orally covered with the fallen foe The battle is
soon over and the victory ours. The enemys loss
in killed and wounded is estimated at 1000. But
oh! what price is paid for it Three hundred
are said to be killed and wounded on our side
Colonies Owens and Wood, both of North Carolina,
are reported MORALLY wounded, and how sad did
feel in the morning upon my finding my esteemed
young friend Lieutenant Bivens, of Enfield, who
had lost leg in that action. But such is the fate
of war.
On Tuesday the 10th, it became apparent that
the enemy were threatening our position from diff
ferent points, and on W Wednesday morning the goth,
our army showed disposition to fall back! The
sick and wounded were sent off from Winchester
to the hospitals at Mt jackson and Stanton. This
morning Major General Ramseur took position with
his division on the turnpike leading from Winchester
mer place, as the enemy were understood to be ad
vanclng in that direction In the afternoon he ad-
vanced his column down the road and soon found
himself in the presence of the enemy in heavy
force 1t proper for me here to say but little, lest
l should say too much, and do some one injustice,
for many have been criticizng this affair." Our d.
vision soon fell under an enhlading fire, right and
left being outaanked fell into confusion and retired
in disorder. Some of the critics argue that the
prime cause of the stampede was the giving way of
Vaughns cavalry on the left, which rushed back
through the ranks of the 9th N c. T., and threw
them into confusion. Be it as it may, it was q sad
affair. Our loss in killed, ounding and missing is
generally set down at $50 or 400 Brig. Gen. Lilly
was severely wounded and taken prisoner Col.
Board of the 5Sth Va. killed: Brig. Gen. Lewis,
and his aid, Lieut.. Macon, and Major Crage of the
57th N G. I. all of Hokes brigade, wounded We
lost four pieces of artillery.
Our army subsequently fell back to Strasburg,
twenty miles on the turnpike towards Staunton.S
But Gen. Early can certainly do two things
march and fight On Sunday morning last he NOV
ed forward again, and in the afternoon attacked
and defeated the enemy at kernstown, three miles
west OF Winchester, and putting the enemy in a
complete route pressed them several miles towards
the Potomac, capturing large amount of prison.
ers BY this defeat am of opinion that the ene-
my are entirely driven back to the other side of the
Potomac, and we shall be able to secure the bene.
tit of the splendid crop of wheat raised in this rich
valley. But don't be surprised if you hear of US
soon in Pennsylvania.
Yours as ever, SIGMA