The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-11-21
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
sHIELDs's DIVISION.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Some time
ago. on looking over Vol. u, Series ], Part i, of
the "Oficial Records Of the Union and Con-
federate Armies" published by the War De-
partment, containing the official reports of the
battle Of Winchester, or kernstown, March %,
1862, between the forces of Shields and Stone
wall jackson, / was very much surprised to
find no report from my old regiment, the S4th
Pa, the only one in kimballs Brigade not
represented in the record.
The omission seemed all the moro remark
able from the fact that we had taken very
prominent part in the action, losing more men
killed and wounded than any regiment en-
gagged including among the number our in-
trend commander, Col. VIM. q. Murray. /
had always been under the impression that
report had been filed. and the only possible
reason i could assign for its absence was that
the Lieutenant-COlOnel and Maj0r-the officers
apparently responsible-were not present dur
ing the battle, the former being home on leave
and the later sick in camp near Winchester.
When we returned 10 camp on the night after
the battle, the Colonel having been killed, of
course the Major assumed command, the Lieu
tenant-COlOnel returning few days later. Not
having participated in the engagement, they
probably felt that they could not reasonably be
expected TO submit a report of an action in
which they had taken no part.
/ was then Adjutant of the regiment, but was
not called upon TO furnish any official statement
other than the list of killed and wounded. After
the lapse of years / can readily see that under
the circumstances j, as Adjutant, should have
been instructed 10 prepare a report addressed
70 the commanding officer of the regiment, TO
be forwarded by him to the brigade commander.
lind in the volume referred 10 that the Acting
Adjutant of one Of the regiments in the divis-
ion made the report for his regiment, although
his commanding officer had taken part in the
battle.
u, e h.
correct one. on the 5th of August last / wrote
10 Gen. Nathan Kimball. commander of the
First Brigade and acting commander Of the di-
vision on the field during the action, calling his
attention 20 the omission, and suggesting that,
even at this late date, /, as Adjutant and sub
seenently Major and Colonel of the
S4th, might be authorized 10 prepare a report,
subject 10 his approval, TO be forwarded by him
60 the War Department, and eventually given
place in the records i cited many instances
OF reports having been filed since the war ;
some Of very recent date-in fact, during the
present year. i asked for this privilege as a
matter of Justice TO the men Of theS4th, living
and dead, and their descendants and in order to
complete the memorable record Of the regiment
Gen. kimball replied promptly, stating that
IL had been for years matter of regret that he
had no report from the S4th in that action,
and he could not account for its absence, as he
had requested the commanding officer of the
bad been hastily written upon the urgent de-
mand Of Gen. Shields, who would not wait
until more perfect one could be prepared.
he was glad that had now taken the matter
i'm hand, aud would with pleasure forward my
report and urge that it be placed on file and
given place in the record.
He says: 4" well know the gallant conduct
Of your regiment in that action. Not one did
better There was not one that fought more
daringly and persistentiy than did yours. No
regiment had better or more efficient officers
than those OF the S9th Pa. engaged in that bat
Tie. Col Murray was perfect specimen Of the
American officer and soldier. ! admired him
and loved ham, and grieved over his death"
As Gen. kimbalI's reply showed conelusvely
that no report had ever been forwarded from
the regiment submitted the following for his
approval, taken chiefly from original memo
rEnda IN my possession written shortly after
the battle:
REPORT OF ADJ'T THOMAS II. CRAIG, 64TH PA.
s1E FRAScIsoo CAL. Aug 81, 1889
SIR; In Response 10 your communication Of the
etb inst. have tile honor 10 submit the following
report Of the part taken by the Ssih Pa ia the en-
RageTnent near Winchester, Va. March 3. 1862.
Official report having heretofore been fled:
Ca the I'D the regiment was encanped about
two miles north Of Winchester, having returned
from s;rasburg GA the previous day 10y "a rapid
march through tle MUD and rain. About 4.3J o. 10.
We received orders TO fali in at IN heavy
marching order. Leaving our half-c0oked raiions
smoking TIE IRE. The Win tie resi-
the brigade, marched burriedly through Wincbes-
Ter aud advanced about two miles beyond on the
birssburg road IN the direction Of kernstown.
Alter short halt 10 unsng kuApsacks, during
which time heard sharp artillery firing ia 'front.'
and Gen. Shields was taken from the field wound
ed, We were cent 10 occupy a hill on the right OF
support Of a battery At daybTeak Sunday.
the 20. no enemy appearing, we retired TO posi-
ton the left Of the road and prepared 10 90 into
camp. our tents having arrived during the night.
About 80 heavy Smelling heard in front.
The regiment fell into line, and about an hour
later sent 10 lake post the extreme right OF
the diylslol line aud about .. m. ordered
70 support battery % an advanced position on a
hill IN the center. Here for nearly two hours we
were exposed 20 severe artillery FIRE but without
suffering any material IOss. From our elevated
position we witnessed the attack upon the left OF
The division. and its gallant repulse by Sullivan
Brigade. Soon after the enemy de6ied along our
front under cover Of the woods aad took posses.
slon 81 q ridge commanding our right flank and
threatening COR rear. One Of their batteries gained
our immediate right aud opened furously upon "a
al q distance q about half mile.
About O'Clock you gave US direct orders az
commander Of the brigade and acting commander
o. The division 10 charge straight up 70 the battery
eslo lake y u possible The men received the order
win a cheer. Ia column Of company at full dis
lance, with bayOnets lEed, moved down the
hail 81 q oOube-qulck with q prolonged cheer
crossing ragine and over a meadow under a ter.
T3fc storm Of shot aud shell, which killed and
wounded a number Of OuF men Other batfcrie,
had opened upon ~, and the ridge seemed abIazt
with artillery. Unsupported either flank We
kept straight on 10 the base Of the hill. where We
charged up the slope, driving back the enemy's
administers. and ~ the summit received a terria,
yOliey 81 Dusketry from tie force ia front Of thf
battery. They held y strong position on t!e edge
Of wood, behind rocks and lilocke. with an open
space Of about 20 yards between us. We were "a
posed 20 "A whitening Ere from the front and a gall
Ing crOss-hre from The left, where force was sta
toned behind a stone fence about 100 yards from
our flank, While the battery from elevation In
tie rear kept pouring IN deadly discharges Of Rrapt
snd canister. Our men were ordered TO lie down
So q was almost certain destruction 70 remain In
line under such concentrated ERE.
Col. Gurray'e horse wounded and, becotnIus
UnInanageable, forced him 10 dismount nv horr,
was killed, and wss used Il bTeastRoFk by som,
81 Tie men. The heaviest fire seemed 20 he aimee
81 the color company. It's gallant leader Can't
Patrick Gallagher, fell dead. and Lieut. r n
place Until the battle over. Color Sere't Hugl
Smith severely wounded, and four color
bearers were successfully shot down serO'
GpidsborouRl advanced Il number Of faces in frst,
Of the regiment with Eis col0rs shouting de6auc
~ the enemy, but was ordered back TO his posi
and. strange 70 say, WhE untouched There wer
- builet-hOes In the National and a In The STAT
cOloTs, sDd d the haRstHfis was shot agay
becOnd Lieut.. Charles keem, brave and iuteili
gent officer, Was killed. The 5ih Ohio was 1c,Itint
RAllautlg Our right connecting with the left q
Jylsr'E Brigade. which faced stone wall held b.
the enemy. The line Of tie slth aud the stu OH
forming sonsea bat Of an angie with that Of Tyler
threatened the right and rear Of the force opposiu
him.
We hsld this exposed position with an iron grf
Tor about an hour and y half delivering All N,
while a rapid and destructive FIRE MANY Of IA
Mounoed remained Ia the ranks. One young fel
low bleeding rom "a wound Ia tie face asked ro
where he should go. ] pointed out tie ssroUp :
Surgeons operating at the foot of The I'm ~
turneo away but Ia about 10 minutes returned bi