The National tribune., 1890-10-16
BATTLE OF WINCHESTER
As Sern by Connecticut Soldier From the Hos.
al


branches to the right 10 Front Royal, and to
the lett 20 Wildwood
The hospital was on a knoll few rods from
The regiment, and had eight occupants. the
nsmes Of only two of which | can now remem-
ber-Corpl Restcome Peckham. of Go. c, and
- Potter, of Co. ID, sick with in1ammstory
rheumatism. Almond Bartlett and John KEEL
ley were nurses.
Milroys force st that time consisted of the
following troops:
Fir,i brigade Second Brigade.
IlOih Ohio. 18th Conn.
1f6ih 9th Md.
iq5d is1h WA.
I2th Ps Cav Co, X. LIST w. Va Cav.
1Slh Cos ID aud L, 81 w. Va.
Batter L. 5'h L. s. A. Cav.
Co. j, j.; Mass Il. A Battery ID, LIST VIVA. LA.
Third brigade
Alexnnder's Md Battery.
9th Md.
is, n. Y. Cav.
67th Pa
For 4 number Of days we had been in a state
Of quasi alarm. Wild rumors Of the approach
Of horGes Of rebels had been afoat, pickets had
been doubled, and we had lain on our arms sew
eral nights ready 10 rise at a moments notice
and make il exceedingly hot for anybody who
had the temerity TO disturb rs.
FRIDAY evening June 12, 1863, the cavalry
that HAD been down the valley % miles in varI-
Gus directions on reconnaissance returned,
and reported there were no JOhunIes within 40
miles. The various camps settled into feel
ing Of security, aud went serenely on with their
usual evening routine Of duties. About mid
night came an alarm. The long roll called
every ,nan 10 his feet.
" Fali in fall in the Johnuies are right
upon NJ! Turn out here men, turn out!"
We il the hospital could hear the hustle as
tbe tcn.s sere struck, the commands OF the
oihceTa, the Orderly-SergcRnts as they called
the r.. s. aud the voices Of The men as they
answered. Finally we heard our COoBel's
voice IS ha gave The command 10 start. end the
regiment passed out Of camp into the road,
nearlg opposite the hospital, stacked arms, aud
had orders TO stay there till further notice.
They ald there TIL the next morning. By
that time the excitement vas over. The rebs
had gone away again; fallen back, 10 doubt
appalled, by the determined aspect presented
by IL Yankees. / am not sure OF the time,
but Tank i was about O'clock when the
18th Was ordered back into camp. The orders
were 10 pitch tents again and 60 about their
bushes; j. was only another IEse alarm. Part
OF tn teU.s were up and some Of the men had
their hrls going, when we heard the long roll
again rsf'ie out its thrilling sound. Then
again aiose excited commands, hasty forming
Of the T&Uks and the regiment appeared in the
road, went over into the field opposite the
hOspiiai and disappeared over the hill headed
for t1e valley pike. IL seemed but q very
short ;.ue when they reappcared aud went
over lizard The MilwOod road. This was the
last } saw Of my regiment as al organized
force, ii Joined it al Martinsburg tie last
day "a following September
In le meantime we could sec the 9Th Pa
leaving heir camp o. "a adjacent hillside aud
soon part Of Battery l. came tearing by, the
men Oh tie limbers holding on for dear life.
while fise iimbers bounded into the air as the
vince struck tie large stones in the road.
Getting tired by being up some time. ] lay
down o. 81 : cot. Pretty soon boom boom the
cannon throbbe3 from the direction OF the
pike.
The artillery that passed our tent had now
taken pos ton on the hIll Just above those two
old brick bHiidinss that stood on the wildwood
Ioad. They opened fire and threw shells over
toward the woods southwark. We could see
the shells bursting IN the air.
Boys" said one, this begins 10 look like
business. guess the JOhnnies have really
cone"
At firing few roHnds the guns were lin.
berea o.. and the bate Y went OF southwark on
the frrut Royal rad Soon after other guns
Hppeai5d OB the top Of tho hill near where our
batter had been. There WAS cloud of white
smoke. fash and boom soon followed By
that berce rushing sound 50 well known by all
veterans. and shell burst in the Geld Just
beyond -. another boom and another shell
Etill nearer Then another
s5ogE those are Iebs Dp there, and they are
firing ~ ns"
Juat llen Dr. Carlton, OF the 18th, rode up.
II : getting rather h0i here, boys" said be
"you bad better leave"
% n rsese shall We 90 Z" said one
Make your way 70 the general hospital in
She city"
took Up my overooat.
j. cot" 1 asked, shall ] take my knap
sack
no; the teams VII take care Of tie khap
sacks"
j never saw my kuapsack again. / hay,
often thought would like 10 sc the john,
who ~. e. Among ether things il had IN il /
number ii caricztnres Of rebel war operations
! started out with tie rest bBt soon bccam
20 Ecs. iizt ] had to 81 down 10 rest Th,
road now filed with teams, and the Fely
were iEsO8Iug Ia shells; as they were shrap
ncl tue scattered bullets from them wer,
EtrikiHE spIseiuliy against The rocks aud gtou,
fences, aaa kicking up little pufz Of dust il
the ross. Has uOw alone, Is 10y comrades o
tue teal had disappeared The big guns o.
tie iOft north Of the city had begun 70 fire snt
were ii.fgwiBg shells over the city toward III,
south, aad a. got near the city saw 4 lsrg,
body g. c4gaiFg moving out o. the pike, soiu,
60utn.
Att frequent rests ] made my way 10 th
city aAi Was taken into the general hospital
in Ts. .ef's Hotel. While passing through In
ID.
surprised ~ see 3 member OF my own comf,au,
Eittins o. a forge. He had bis gun IN bi
Land, bis face was flushed, aud he had th
appearance Of z Dian who bad been going some
where ln hurry. A. ] stepped into tic doc
a. the hospital an ambulance drove up will
B0L1e wounded men, said % have been hurt b.
The buzz. * 81 & caissoB. ] Was assigned 70
room % Tie second story Of Z wing extendin
back 8 glI the street. 2 hig room was enterel
by . Cuor opening from a piazza, and jus
opposite the door were stairs going down into
back yaFa. There were three cots IN the room
bot none were occupied. / threw myself OF
one ara lay there the rest % that day aud al
that GAS We could hear distant firing 0cca
sionalF during the day, aud At intervals al
night dec guns on the fort threw their shot
over e town. During the nIght thunder
shove came up, aud how the rain did pour
eaiaaag cawDed clear AID bright. We kne,
DCihiES bat had been done nor what In
Situation was. We could hear occasional yol
lcys aBd skirmish hTipP, and once during IN
Gay bard The familiar bBgie calls, apparently
an thr ;0a n, showing that a skirnieL inc wa
passiAE through. Wounded men were brougL
lD thsrs and fast. One Ohio man was taken int
the Tria u which ] was. He bad bullet il
his sid near the hip, and was laid on q tabl
and ll.e bullet eXtrEc,cd. His brother. a Fins
Iieuiri---Ht, vas with him. though this Office
was not wounded nor sick ] wondered no,
ii wa thzt be could be away from his CON
uand.
Among lie sick was a MARYLAND ho.y 4. ,,,er,