Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-05-05

on every hand, show that the ground yields
royalty to its owners. There is nothing
now on the farm or in the immediate vi
Gritty to tell of the time when the hoof of
war almost stamped out every sign of civ
ilization. and yet but few years have
elapsed since the fertile country was bar
rem waste. its green fields ploughed up by
the tramp of thousands of men marching
to battle, and its trees felled by shells or
cut for wood to make huts for the soldiers.
Carriers farm is about three miles from
Winchester, place which occupied so Pc
cullar position during the war. Situated
in the centre of valley some twenty miles
in width, it resembles stone in the mid
die OF running stream. The open coun-
try surrounding Winchester on every side
gave free passageway to any large body of
! troops that could pass around that city,
like tho stream can flow on either side of
stone in the middle of brook. This
fact made Winchester dangerous point
to attempt to hold, and whichever power,
Federal or Confederate, attempting it usu-
ally suffered defeat.
As this story begins, Early had retreat
ed from Washington through Smokers
! Gap, and hearing of Averill's advance had
posted Ramseur's division of infantry and
| Vauahan's cavalry off toward Winchester
with instructions to capture him and his
force If possible.
Gen. Averill had just returned from the
Kanawha Valley, after Hunters famous
raid, and while resting at Martinsburg
had received an order from Hunter to
gather II rether as he could
and ryoulu - .aoisance up the
Shenandoah Valley. He at once started
towards Winchester with four regiments
Of infantry. three of cavalry and two bat
teries of artillery just as he reached
Carter's farm, his scouts and f1ankers re-
ported that the enemy was advancing, so
J he went into line of battle in well chosen
position, tbs infantry fanked on each side
! by the cavalry, formed into columns of
squadrons. one of his favorite methods
of attack or defense. AS Averill had but
a small command, he had not intended to
force fight, but put his men in such Pc
sitlon that they would be prepared either
to make or receive an assault.
Ramseur, with his forces, consisting of
one division of infantry of three brigades,
and one division of cavalry under the COM
mand of Vaughn, was advancing from the
direction of Winchester when Averill' 8
| position was reported. His command was
double that Of Averill, but the Confeder-
ate leader was not convinced of the pres
encs of the Federal troops. and instead of
| putting his forces into line of battle, he
marched on and came upon Averill ready
| for an assault or defense, while his own
! troops were in column. He gave the order
to form line of battle, but Averill seeing
bis advantage, made an impetuous attack
and struck the Confederates before the
second brigade of the attacking line could
| be got into position. 1t was bold and
sagaciods move, and the result a high COM
pliment to the soIdierly qualities of the
man who seized and appropriated the ad-
vantage.
The batteries of the Union forces had
been placed in position to command the
vital point in the action, and as the Con-
federates began swinging into line at a
doubled quick, and their artillery opened
upon Averill, his field guns replied, aiming
at the thin circles of white smoke curling
from the artillery guns of his opponents.
When Averill gave the order to charge, his
rfi 81 fod ho v,io ha
shells over their heads. By few well-di-
rected shots they disabled the guns of the
Confederates, destroyed their cannons and
finally captured them. Averill leading the
charge, struck his enemy just as the Sec
ond brigade of Ramseur's division were
wheeling into position. The Confederates
endeavored to force him back, bat the
Union soldiers inspired by their success,
widened the gap and made the line waver,
stagger and fall. Then urged by the voice
Of their leader, they swept on to make VIC
tory 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 rose as If one
man and poured one deadly volley into the
advancing ranks. For a moment the
Union forces was staggered. The line
wavered, and it looked as If Early's bri-
gade, which was under the command of
Gen. Lilly, would check their advance, but
ed his line and prepared for second
charge.
THE SECOND CHARGE.
The Confederates having rapidly fired
several rounds, withdrew under cover of
the smoke OF battle and when Gen. Aver
i'll moved forward again. they were at
safe distance, having left upon the field
such of their number as were too badly
wounded to be moved, among them, Gen.
Lilley.
But twenty minutes had elapsed since
the first gun had been fired. Twenty min
ues, but what scene of desolation and
destruction wrought in that short time
1t was the very seething hell of war, and
the field was thiekly strewn with wound
ed, dead and dying. Several hundred had
been killed and wounded. The Confeder-
ates had lost their artillery and we're in full
retreat up the Valley.
Averill with his men at once commenc-
ed the work of removing the wounded
and giving them the proper attention.
Among the first to be found on the field
was Capt. Rldgeley, whoss father had
fought with Averill in the regular army.
He was wounded, but not mortally. Av-
Grill gave orders that he be taken at once
to the mansion on Carter's farm, and ev-
erything possible done for him.
A few minutes afterward, Gen. AveriIl
came to where number of men were ~