The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-24

Petersburg ana thus make more effective
the attack which 50 WAS intended 10
make n due time upon that army
Accordingly there was ORGANIZED a
corps, composed of about 5000 or IOVV
men. under Maj1r-Gcncral Sigel, ana
about the same force under Malor-Hene-
raj Crook. The former TO start from
Winchester and proceed. down the Shta-
audoah Valley. the latter 10 advance
from West Virginia: the two detachments
to unite - or near stanton. va" ana
thence proceed as one command 10
LFnch,urT
vas DESIGNATED as Chief Signal officer
or the corps (or department. called me
foDartmont Of West Nirginia'D and IN
that capacity 7 marched with the divi-
sion OF General Sgol I'm the shenandoah
valley In preparation for this duty !
had ORGANIZED q command Of some - Of
floors an dover goo enlisted mon constitute
ine tho Signal Service force OF the corps
arl being we'll mounted. 70 formed a very
respectable cavalry command. The fore
going is 10 explain my presence and OPP
portunitos for observation.
Our army was put IN motion. 7 think
about the 10Th ~ MAY. 1891 from our
camp. little south or Winchester. We
moved down the valley n few DAYS and.
ON tho morning Of Sunday. Nav 18th, we
1ret our biv0uac. between Woodstock ana
Mount Jackson and continued our march
along the pike.
The Valley turnpike was then. and
presume &c is now q wide. smooth macad-
amizcd road. Some rain on the previous
day and evening had made the road n
litue muddy so that the troops wouid
naturally pick ont the best spots 10 walk
uD0u and thus the column got 10 be
GOOD deal "strunr out" Following the
irons was the artillery and then q long
wagon tram Up 90 this time our advance
had been opposed only boy small skirmish-
me- parties not strong enough 10 retard
our march or 10 give battle.
before noon on this day, Information
from the front was brought 20 General
eleal that the enemy was IN position az
New Market. about four miles from
where tho head Of the column then was.
While 7 did not hear the conversation
which cusucd between General Sigel and
his chief-of-st10 / think IL was suggested
to HIM 20 close MO his column near 10
and fronting the enemy, and 90 into hiv-
ouao. and attack I'm the morning with the
army rested and fresh but 7 aid hear
General giEal say loudly; 1--WE may as
we'll Gght them to-day as any day. we
win advance and he did push on the
head OF his column. an of Infantry.
DON'T think any cavalry. and + am sure
no artillery was ahead OF our position In
tho column.
Ate. pausing few minutes IN grove.
by the side of the road. and sending OF
some aides and Ordcrlies with orders. cur
ing which time the infantry was passing
ms toward the front. General Sigel turned
10 me and ordered ME To- wait where I
was with my command for the coming or
Won Klesier's battery. and escort it 10
The field and then General Sigel rode for
ward 10 the battle. This battery was
we'll 20 the rear of the column and 7
think 70 was at the moment. the nearest
90 the scene Of action Of any artillery in
orr command.
7 waited about an hour. until the bat
tory came up when ! closed my COM
mand in front and rear OF the battery. on
tho road. and brought 10 mp 20 the field.
When the battery went into position and
unlimbcrcd. tho engagement was on. and
indeed. T had heard ring of muskctry for
some time previously. / presume there
had been preliminary skirmiFhing but I
dd not see d. for when 7 arrived on the
field the lines OF our infantry were ac-
lively engaged with the Confederate In
fanirv which We're behind some light
works.
Won Kleisor's battery went into position
Mt the loft Of our lire OF battle just on
the crest ~ n low hill nv escort SER
vice being ended my men were left a IT.
tie IN the rear ard below the slight ascent
un which the battery gallopcd 20 take
position. but T rode MP with my order
~ 10 witness the operations. and sat on
my horse. probably % or 30 yards TO the
left Of the battery. The battery, which
ne 7 rec0llect. consisted OF four brass
NAPOLEON guns ard two 12-pounder how
itrors. ore@eJ FIRE NJ once on the Con-
feaorqte limos. ~ wos n good battery
and lfs commander was very proud or IL.
poinr for the moment a spectator. I
could see and 50 could anyone In position
10 see that we were getting the worst Of
the fight. We had attacked with the head
of the column while the rear was several
miles from the field and II appeared
likoiv Gas 20 roailv resulted that we would
no whlDued before we got our troops on
the feid
From tho front 81 Won Klelser's battery
the ground sloped down, q very gradual