The National tribune., 1886-07-15
sTEVENsoNs DEPOT.
How Early Was Whipped After His Maryland and
PENNSYLVANIA Raid.

tiOn at Camp Piatt, and were then transported
by river and rail via Parkersburg, Va, to Mar
tinsburg and Harper's Ferry. but too late to
intercept the rebel army under Gen. Early,
who was rotreating from his invasion of Mary
land and Pennsylvania. The Confederates
were conducting their retreat in very orderly,
leisurely manner, as though caring but little
for the Federal cavalry that hung on their
rear and TANKS Vast herds Of lowing cattle
and immense wagon trains, heavily laden with
the rich plumber from the cities and towns OF
/ Maryland and Pennsylvania, were driven in
their front. Here was the flower Of Lees
| army-men who had stood like stone wall at
Bull Run; soldiers who had been tried on st.
/ Marye's Nights; who had checked and thrown
| into confusion the advance of our mighty
armies at Cedar Mountain, forced the rear of
Popes army near Washington, frustrated Hunt
| ers plans for the capture Of Lynchburg, and
swept rs chaf the division of Gen Lew Wal
lace from its pathway on the Monocacy, as well
as creating a reign Of terror and confusion at
| the White House. Although a retreating, yet
/ IL was IN measure a victorious army, and
cared but little for Hunters broken and de-
tached battalions, which nj this time numbered
but little more than 5000 effective men. The
strength Of the enemy was variously estimated
at from 10000 TO $4,000 men. Gen. Hunter
made his headquarters and concentrated the
bulk Of his force at Harper's Ferry, leaving
our brigade Second Brigade, Army of West
] virginia., composed Of the 9th Va, 34th and
9lst Ohio, $50 cavalry, and two six-gun batter
les, ia all 800 strong, under command Of Gen.
Averell, at Martinsburg, Va, which force adj
yanced on the Martnsburg and Winchester
/ turnpike July lS, 1854.
A body of rebel cavalry stubbornly contested
/ the advance, their object evidently being TO
develop the strength of the Federal column.
4 At Bunker Hill they took position in brick
/ house, and from which all efforts of the ad-
vance-guard TO Dust them proved abortive. A
section Of artillery was now rapidly brought to
the front, while the brigade was deployed in
line Of battle 10 the right and left Of the Valley
turnpike, but just before the cannon began its
opening roar one of the cassons filed, with per-
cusSi0n shell, and on which two artillerymen
were riding exploded, hurting them high in the
air, leaving their blaclzened and mangled re-
mains sokenng sight for the passing brigade
TO look upon. Under the fire Of the we'll
trained guns the brick and shingles from the
house began 10 1y, and so did the rebels
Ii was beautiful sight, for one who had no
friend, no brother there" TO see those rebels
get out OF that house. mount their steeds, and
make Decline for the south Beyond this
point about a mile the road led over an emf
nence which was hanked on either hand by
heavy clump Of timber. Here the rebels halted
10 view the advancing brigade.
Here Gen. Avercll ordered the brigade TO
time our cavalry was divided into two columns,
and each Of these columns passing up and down
the valley OF creek in our rear and making a
detour unobserEed by the rebels appeared on
their tanks simultaneously, and before they
were hardly aware Of IL subjected them to such
severe cross-lre that parsuer and pursued
disappeared in a cloud of dust over the brow of
the ball. Gen. Early had passed through
and beyond Winchester with his retreat
ing army, but having no doubt learned
our strength from this accommodating
force Of cavalry, ordered Gen. Ramseur,
with his division, 5000 strong, TO counter
march through Winchester and give US battle,
which he accordingly did at StevensOn's Station.
four miles north OF Winchester, at noon July
20, 1864 The rebel plan was well laid, and
would undoubtedly have resulted ia the de-
struction Of the entire brigade had not a train
OF unforeseen circumstances arisen which gave
the palm OF victory 10 that little Federal bri-
gade which will make its arms ilustrious
and immortal IN the eyes and annals of nations
wagon-road crossed at right angles that on
which the Second Brigade was advancing. In
this wagOn-rOad, concealed by the high grass
the front line OF Confederate infantry was a
position, their front well covered by a cloud of
sklrmishers. One hundred yards 10 the rear
Of this front line some heavy timber concealed
their second line Of battle. On the right flank
Of this second line was formed force of Con-
iederate cavalry equal in point of numbers
TO the entire Federal force engaged, while
their third line OF battle was yet marching TO
the scene OF conflict. A division of 5000
against brigade 500 was fearful odds in an
engagement, aud yet history records the fact.
lSee Nhitelaw Reds "Ohio IN the War"l
Had Gen. Ayercil known the strength Of the
enemy the battle OF Stevenson's Station, in all
probability, would never have been fought
The first intimation that the rebels intended
$40 Aren a. - n. IL Il
the timber Immediately ia the rear of their
front line and which passed through the head
and neck Of cavalry horse and also disem-
boweled bis rider. Our two batteries immedi-
ately took position, unlimbered, and hurled
their shell thick and fast into the woods where
the rebel battery Of four guns was posted
and which In few moments was silenced
The brigade advanced in line Of bat
tie, while the rebel skirmlshers for a
time stubbornly contested every inch of
ground, until al length. abandoning this mode
OF warfare, they turned and fed precipitately
into the woods, where their second line Of de-
tense was posted, conveying the impression
that this was the first line of defense. And
now out Of the high grass and at distance Of
only 20 yards the rebels opened fearful fire
OF mnsketry, while their artillery, double
shotted with grape and canister plowed
great gaps through all parts Of the line. AT the
same moment the rebel cavalry came sweeping
out OF the timber with loud shouts and drawn
sabers, riding through and through the oath
OHIO and 80 Federal cavalry, which composed
the left flank Of the brigade, and Cor the
moment lett that wing uncovered and exposed
Two oil The Ranking companies Of the 9lst
ONO now wheeled and poured in such an en-
hlading IRE on the rebel cavalry that they fed
IA The greatest confusion, riding pell-mell over
their own second line Of battle in the woods
The Bath Ohio now rallied and closed up ON the
LETT flank II the 9lst Ohio. Col b. II. Coates
commander Of this l9lst Ohio regiment. and
OF whom u may be recorded enjoyed the
greatest confidence and esteem Of his men. and
Drawer man never buckled on the harness
carried his men squarely up in this storm of
shot and shell until only rs feet interviewed
between them and the foe, when they were
ordered tole down, fix bayonets and reload their
arms A. u their was power in their voices
The rebels booted, groaned and yelled 10 the
greatest dorision. Adrt-Gen. Hayslip now
gaiioped down the line, waved his sword aloft
and shouted CHARGE" Instantly there was
long line Of wrathful faces, long line of
glltterlng steel rushing forward, and hoarse
roar OF angry voices. The rebels waited for
cold steel no longer. Thisincoming food. with
the retreat Of their cavalry, threw Gea. Ram
seurs entire division into inextricabIe confu.
SION. Be was wounded and taken prisoner.
together with $50 Of his men. All Of his
artillery brought into the field aud 600 stand
OF arms were taken. Prisoners were taken rep
reseutng IL different Confederate regiments
~hlle The city Of Winchester was once more in
the possession Of the Federal arms-JYo IL
PRATHER, Co. L, 9lst Ohio
Second Brigade, First DI,isioH, Ninth Corps.