The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-06
HERO OF WINCHESTER.
Anotllev pefense Of Gem. MIIroy.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: It is with
pleasure and in all sincerity that /, in common
with thousands of comrades fully indorse all
that Comrade Powell has written in defense of
that gallant officer and brave soldier Gen.
Milroy, as appears in the article published in
your paper of May is and headed Shenandoah
Valley Milroy's Defense of Winchester, Va,
in June, 1863"
Justice alike to the injured character of this
courageous General and his brave but little
command of 1000 or 5000 men withstanding
for four days the shock and crush Of Gen Lees
brave and gallant Army of Northern Virginia,
of 10000 men, flushed with late victories as it
marched triumphantly along on its way to in
wade the North, with the determined purpose
to settle forever by force OF arms the fate or
destiny of either the Cohfederacy or the Union,
through victory or defeat, has been too sadly
and imperfectly understood by the Nation and
too careessly or indifferently treated upon by
the war historian.
Without the battle offered at Winchester in
June, 1863, by Gen. Mlroy, and the consequent
delay to Gen. Lees invading army, with the
corresponding advantage to the onward move
ments of the Army of the Potomac, l will ask,
would there have been battle of Gettysburg?
And, still more. who can tell what would have
been the fate of our country? Let the future
historian pause, reflect, and do simple justice
to the hero of Winchester and his forces, who
fought the preliminary battle against strong
and powerful invading army; and, more, l
trust that the past historian will review his
work and in fair and impartial manner do
tardy Justice to this much abused General, and
correct the libelons and sanderous insinuations
which now appear as history III reference to
the noble defense made by him at Winchester
Like Comrade Powell, do not like to appear
as corrector of history; but if not too Jealous
or apparently officious, | would suggest that
when the great artist shall repaint the battle
of Gettysburg, he will make the picture more
replete by designating at its southern edge, as
the preliminary part of this famous battle, the
name of Winchester. Va; and also that when
the future historian shall dwell so rapturousy
upon the battle of Gettysburg as the high
water mark of the rebellion" and applaud its
heroes, he will pause sufficiently long to write
upon the surge and swell of the wave that
humble name of one Of the bravest of the
brave Milroy.
Now, as to Comrade Powell. While praising
his article. | beg leave to correct an error
therein Where he writes, On Friday after
noon June Is, 1863 the 1st N. Y. Cav. and the
| S7th Pa. were sent up the Stanton pike to
reconnoter," etc, I would correct the item to
read Friday, June IL, 1868, and insert the 18th
! Pa. Cav. instead of LIST N. Y. Cav, as at this
time the LIST N. Y. Cav. was at or near Berry
vile, and did not get to Winchester until Sat
urday evening or Sunday morning.
| Also, he omitted to mention the section of
artillery which accompanied the reconnois-
sance. In order to be explicit, | will quote
| from Moores Rebellion Record, Vol. VII,
page 90, as quoted in Batess History of Penn
| sylvania Volunteers Vol. III, page 1868: "0n
June IL Gen. Milroy sent out Two strong recon-
noitering parties up the Valley on the Stras-
! burg and Front Royal road. The one on the
Strasburg road says Gen. MIiroy in his official
report, consisted of the 87th Pa, 18th Pa. Cav.
and one section of Battery l., 9th q. S. Art,
| all under command of Col. Sehall, of the S7th.'
! This expedition proceeded up the Valley the
cavalry in advance, but within supporting dis
lance of the infantry and artillery, until it had
arrived within two miles of Middletown, at
which place a messenger from Maj. Kerwin,
who was in command of the cavalry, announced
to Col Schall that superior force of cavalry
had been discovered in line of battle immedi.
ately north of Middletown. The infantry and
artillery were Immediately concealed, the for
mer in a dense grove to the right, and within
100 yards of the road, and the latter behind a
ridge. Our cavalry retired, skirmishing with
the enemy until he was drawn within reach OF
the fire of our infantry. The enemy retreated
| precipitately, followed by our cavalry, which
pursued to Middetown. In this gallant affair
which opened the battle of Winchester and
gave Milroy his first definite knowledge that a
heavy force was in his front, the enemy lost
eight killed, 10 wounded, 81 prisoners, 80 horses
and equipments" etc. was at the time Acting
Adjutant of the 18th Pa. Cav. and took part in
this affair, aud also every day thereafter, until
reaching Harpers Ferry, June 15. 1852. ID
BRIcKER, Captain, Co. F, 18th Pa. Cav, anG
Brevet Major, Jersey Shore, Pa.