Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-09
by shells or cut for wood to make huta


by shells or cut for wood to make huts
for the soldiers.
Carter's farm is about three miles
fiom Winchester, a place which occupi-
ed so peculiar position during the war.
Situated in the centre of valley some
twenty miles in width, it resembled q
stone in the middle of q running stream.
The open country surrounding Win
chester ON every side gave free passage
way to any large body of troops that
could pass around that city, like the
stream can flow on either side of stone
in the middle of brook. This fact made
Winchester dangerous point to at
tempt to hold, aud whichever power,
Federal or Confederate. attempting ii
usually suffered defeat.
AS this story begins, Early had re-
treated from Washington through
Snicker's Gap, and hearing of Averill's
advance had posted Ramseur's division
of infantry and Vaughn's cavalry of
towards Winchester, with instructions
to capture him and his force if possible.
General Averill had just returned
from the Kanswha Valley, after Hun
ter's famous raid, and while resting at
Martinsburg had received an order from
Hunter to gather ~ many men togeth-
er as he could and make Reconnaissance re
up the Shenandoah Valley. He at once
started towards Winchester, with four
regiments of infantry, three of cavalry,
and two batteries of artillery. Just as
lie reached Carter's farm his scouts and
fiankers reported that the enemy was
advancing, so he went into line of bat
tie in a we'll chosen position, the in
fantry flanked on each side by the caval.
ry formed into columns of squadrons,
one of his favorite methods of attack OF
defense AS Averill had but small
command, he had not intended to force
a fight, but put bis men in such posi-
tion that tbay would be prepared either
to make or receive an assault.
Ramseur, with his forces, consisting
of one division of infantry of three brig.
AIDES and one division of cavalry, under
the command of Vaughn, was advanc
ing from the direction of Winchester
when Averill's position was reported =
His command was double that of Aver
ill, but The Confederate leader was not
convinced of the presence of the Fed
erai troops. aud instead of putting his
forces into line of battle he marched on,
and came upon Avarill ready for an as
sault or defense. while his troops were
in column. He gave the order to form
line of battle, but Averill, seeing his
advantage, made an impetuous attack
and struck the Confederates before the
second brigade of the attac king line
could be got into position. 1t was a
bold and sagacious move, and the result
a high compliment to the soldierly
qualities of the man who seized and ap-
propriate the advantage.
The batteries Of the Union forces had
been placed in position to command
the vital point in the action, and as the
Confederates began swinging into line
at double-quick and their artillery
opened upon Averiil, his field guns re.
piled, aiming at the thin CIRCLES of white
smoke curling from the artillery guns
of his opponents. When Averiil gave
the order to charge. his artillery elevat-
ed the pieces and sent the shells over
their heads. By few well directed
shots they disabled the guns of the Con.
federates, destroyed their cannons and
finally captured them. Averill leading
the charge, struck his enemyjust as the
second brigade of Ramseur's division
we're wheeling in position. The Con-
fede1ates endeavored to force him back,
but the Union soldiers, inspired by their
success, widened the gap and made the
line waver, stagger and fall. Then, urg
ed by the voice of their leaders, they
swept on to make victory a complete
rout
Early's old veteran brigade. composed
of men who had seen active service for
years, had been held in reserve, and as
the Union forces advanced they arose as
if one man, and poured one deadly vol
ley into the advancing ranks. For a
moment the Union forces were stagger-
ed The line wavered, and it looked as
if Early's brigade, which was under
the command of General Lilley, would
check their advance, but the intrepid
Federal commander arranged his line
and prepared for a second charge.
THE SECOND CHARGE.
The Confederates, having rapidly fired
several rounds, withdrew under cover
of the smoke of battle, and when Gen
eral Averill moved forward again they
were at safe distance, having left up
on the field such of their number as
were too badly wounded to be moved,
among them General Lilley.
But twenty minutes had elapsed since
the first gun had been fired. Twenty
minutes, but what scene of desOlation
and destruction wrought in that short
time! 1t was the very seething hell of
war, and the field was thickly strewn
with wounded, dead and dying. Sew
eral hundred had been killed and
wounded. The Confederates had lost
their artillery and were in full retreat
up the valley.
Averill with his men at once com
menced the woik of removing the
wounded and giving them the proper
attention. Among the first to be found
on the field was Captain Ridgeley,
whose father had fought with Averiil
in the regular army. He was wound
ed but not mortally. Averill gave or
ders that be be taken at once to the
mansion on Carter's farm, and every
thing possible done for him.
A few minutes afterward General Av
erill came to where number of men
were lying Friend and-fOe, wounded,
dead and dying, lay all over that por-
ton of the field. AS the men were be-
ing removed, one of the officers saw a
Confederate, who was badly wounded,
holding letter in his hand.
When he neared the suffering man he
heard him calling out:
IL WaQL Goueral AVGTlil J.
The officer called the attention of the
General to the man, and the successful
commander went to where he was ly-
ing.
"Are you General Averill ?" asked the
wounded man.
eyes" responded that officer.
"Here is letter that I was told to
give to you," said the wounded Confed-
crate.
General Averill took the letter from
the hands of the man and found that it
was addressed to General Vaughn's
wife in Kentucky. It was open so as to
show that it was nothing more than a
loving epistle from husband to wife, and
was accompanied by a request from the
writer that General Averill should for
ward it as soon as possible. Though the
action had been so short. and the Con
federates compelled to retire SO quickly,
General Vaughn had found time to place
this letter of comfort and cheer. which
was to be welcomed with so much joy
at home, in such place that Averill
would be sure to get it. 1t was safely
delivered and forwarded.
Near to the old mansion on Carter g
farm the hospital was soon established.
The dead had been buried and the hospi-