The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-05-17

too, at once to TAKE possession OF the beautif
anu FERTILE Valley to destroy its capacity as q
great granery, from Which to draw supplies I
our armies
What shall Breckenridge do with his lit
force He had but 1900 infantry. Shall he ava
the advance of Sigel and entrench himself to r
ceive his attack 1t was not in his nature thus
decide. He determined that he would. with
command, small as twas, move forward and me
the opposing and invading force as far down Il
valley as possible. On the 18th May he cor
menced his march, and on the night OF the 18th
encamped at Lacey Spring. ten miles above Il
point we now are. During the early part OF Il
night. having received Information that Sig
mad occupied New Market, he at midnight, in
drenching rain. again moved his little army TO
ward
Imboden was before the enemy, who was a
unconscious that behind the thin veil OF Imbt
denis Skirmish line there moved the infantry an
artillery OF Breckenridge ready to meet them
deadly array. As the morning wore on. Imbode
was withdrawn from the front, and our line
| battle was quickly formed, and our artillery WI
thrown upon the heights somewhat in advance
the ground first occupied by the line OF battl
This was some two miles from this point.
The artillery on both sides was opened. an
Breckenridge paused to give his enemy an OF
portunity Of advancing and assuming the otfei
sive, but finding that he was not disposed to a
tack, he himself advanced under a heavy fiji
from the enemys artillery.
| AS our troops moved across these open field
| steadily and fearlessly under their artillery fir
| the enemy fell back and at last took up a stron
assuming the defensive, short distance beyon
| this place, placing their guns in battery, an
Breckenridge and his men knew that the tim
| had come when each man must do his duty.
THE LINE OF BATTLE. #
| Let me describe that line OF battle to you as
moved forward over the open ground, under tn
| destructive storm Of shot and shell, with tn
steadness and precision OF veterans. and with tn
| firm resolve of men who were to win or die. Tn
| right was on the turnpike which runs throug
| your town. There was the AID Va Infantry, com
who few short weeks after fell upon the field G
| Winchester; then came Derrick with his thor
| oughly trained battalion OF Vfrginians; then tn
| brave and accomplished Edgar, with his equal
| efficient battalion of men from our mountains
on his left composing the centre of the line, cam
that band ofnofae boys. Virgfnia's Cadets. VIII
their colonel, ting thoroughly trained and gallan
Ship, with the ny of battle upon their counte
and wistne clear n; ringing cheer Of VIC
ed more Impressive scene than that presented
| by these boys as they thus moved uniiinchingI,
forward under fire. These commands composed
The left wing was under the command OF Gen
| G.. C. Wharton, an educated soldier and most eff
Gent officer, who since the war has also rendered
most important service to his State in her civi
| service. It was made up Of the 62nd Va. Regi
ment. Col Smith d.a true gentlemen and well triet
| from Va and Md Col. Lyle Clark. and the Sis
Va. Regiment. Col Fostburg, regiment and off
Ger who had distinguished themselves upor
The artillery was under the immediate com
mand OF Mclaughlin, who is now as distinguish
spicuous for his gallantry and the splendid eff
cheney with which he always managed his com
mand in action.
The rain descended in torrents, making the
marching of the troops laborious and the hand
ling of our artillery difficult, beyond the reach OIL
which Sigel had now placed himself.
THE BATTLE.
Breckenridge, Notwithstanding the odds against
him, determined at once to press to the attack;
and, as soon as the proper cover of ground could
be secured, the line was somewhat re adjusted
vyfnVu IN aSCSvy I4ff
wing was thrown swiftly forward, making the
leading echelon, and in this way the final advance
commenced and continued, the enemy's artillery
soon beginning to tell seriously upon our ranks
Every soldier in Breckenridge's little army was
under his eye, and he was conspicuous from every
point of the field. All knew that they were fight
ing under his immediate personal direction, and
all were elated and encouraged by the presence
OF such leader, and animated by his gallant bear
ing.
Seeing that his infantry would soon be swept
away ythe concentrated fire of the enemy's ar
tilery, unless it vas to some extent diverted. he
at full speed, through the streets of New Market,
and SEEING position on the right OF the road,
he opened at once upon the enemy, directing the
movement in person, and, as his infantry line ad-
vanced, he continued to advance his guns, keep
ing up destructive fire upon sigel's lines. It
might almost with truth be said that the artillery
at this time was made to act the part OF q Skin
mish line. The boldness OF the whole movement
the ranks Of the enemy. Our infantry line moved
steadily forward. the right wing gradually closing
up the space between it and the left wing, hating
at short intervals to load with the steadiness Of
veterans, the precision OF the movements OF the
cadets enabling them, upon the field OF blood, to
serve as guide by " hich the other troops could
be properly aligned.
It was rare that such a scene could be witness
ed, when distant spectator could at glance
ants on either side. When the opposing lines
were only separated by a distance of some 800
yards, Sigel ordered charge OF his cavalry in
squadron front, and the movement being about
to commence, was at once seen by Breckenridge,
who, ordering his guns. to be double shotteu,
column so destructive fire that it was broken
and disorganizcd, so that but few OF them came
within short musket range, and these were soon
destroyed and immersed by the accurate fire Of
the 22nd Va.
The forward movement was at once quickened
and both sides knew that
THE SUPREME MOMENT
OF the day had arrived. The enemy threw forward
a column of attack Immediately in front of the
centre Of our line, and poured in deadly volleys
OF musketry and grape; the 62nd Va. faltered
ed the gallant Ship was FRUSTRATED for q few mo-
ments, but very soon rejoined his youthful SOL
charging, and the 62nd Va. regaining its position
the whole line moved rapidly forward with the
YELL OF VICTORY;
the enemy fell back in disorder; many of their
guns were captured; their dead and many of their
wounded were left upon the bloody field, besides
500 or 800 prisoners who fell into our hands, and
the victory OF New Market was won, and became
part OF the glorious history OF our State and
country.
THE RESULTS.
1t is not necessary that I should protract the
recital, by letting you know how any OF the enc
my barely escaped by burning the bridge over
the river which flows near us, and by hurrying
with frightened steps to Winchester. Our little
army had right nobly performed its task. It had
by rapid and toilsome marches from distant
points met and overwhelmed an enemy three
times its superior in numbers; it had for time
reclaimed the possession Of this region and saved
supplies; it had relieved ali apprehensions Of
movements upon the flank of the Army OF North
ern Virginia, at the most critical time of their
desperate struggle with the immense Federal
army which was striving to force its way to Rich
mond. The news of the victory caused rejoicings
over the whole land for our people knew how
Breckenridge received message from Gen. Lee
thanking him, and rendering him the thanks Of
the Army OF Northern Virginia for the brilliant
victory which he had gained.
But whilst the victory was brilliant, and the re-
suits most important. yet it had been gained at
heavy cost. Whilst the loss of the enemy was
very great our own was by no means trifing.
Many pure and bravo men on that day fought
their last battle. The end Regiment lost in kill
ed and wounded upwards OF 200 men All of the
commands lost valuable men, although have
neither the tiEe, nor is this proper occasion
for me to go into minute detail of the losses
sustained by them respectively. Nor will you ex-
pect me, where all acted so well, to discriminate
between them But know that you will permit
connected with this eventful day centre around
the part, borne in the struggle. by that
BATTALION OF BOYS,
who so promptly responded to the call
made upon them for service, and who by their
noble bearing contributed so greatly to the vie
tory which was won. With spirit Of patriotism
bright and strong, with matchless courage they
sprang forward at the call of their State and coun
try in time OF sore need anxious to show that
the training which they had received, and the
tender care which had been bestowed on them
had not been in vain, but that they were willing
and ready to repay all this with their blood and
tiVyaG dom fnd fnIk
insisted, when their prudent and plying General
suggested that they should not be exposed, that
they Should be allowed place in the forefront OF
the battle, that they, too might participate in the
glories OF the victory which they were assured
would be won.
How beautiful is youth how bright it CLEANS
With its Illusions, aspirations dreams
All probabilities are in its hands,
No danger dauntS and no foe withStandS:
In its sublime audacity Of Faith,
Be thou removed! it to the mournful saith,
And with ambitions feet secure and proud,
Ascends the ladder. leaning on the cloud"
VINO, that was present, does not remember the
les OF the handsome boys, who died on this field,
as they were tenderly cared for and prepared for
their soldier graves by the ladies of this town,
who, with the natural promptingS of mothers
and sisters, thought of the desolaton OF heart in
distant homes, when the announcement Of their
dead sons should reach them. Many soldier who
had faced death on bloody fields without emotion,
found himself brushing away the tear from his
checks, when he looked upon these youthful
forms silent in death. Yet we would not now
have it otherwise. They died gleriously in the
discharge OF duty and the memory OF their deeds
and death shall always be tenderly cherished re-
fiecting, as they did, imperishable honor upon
their State and her Military Institute.
BRECKENRIDGE.
But time admonfshes me that cannot longer
dwell upon the recollections OF this day OF battle,