Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-06-20

OOiu0ueTdte 10IdltFy Tue UtutT ldIthe
away on the hill and farther east.
The entire Confederate force was, ac-
cording to Vaughn. 900. The Federal
force consisted of Brigadier General
j. e. Sullivan s division Of infantry,
present for duty May 81 4.4O0, 'ag-
gregate present. ISL, and Major Gen
eral j. Stahel's division of cavalry.
present for duty 1910. aggregate
present'4 ,227 This discrepancy is not
a misprint, but IT is mysteryl. Total
present for duty 1910. aggregate
present 9.078. This does not include
the $50 men of Capt. II. A. DuPont's
artillery brigade. The number of guns
will not be discussed here. 1t was
much greater than that of the Con-
federates.
The Federal infantry advanced to
the attack and was repulsed. The at
tack was several times pressed vigor-
ously, always upon the Confederate
left. and always with the same result.
Imboden says that he and Vaughn
could have made the victory complete
by advancing, but that Jones had, in
his anger, ordered them to remain,
where he put them and to protect his
right flank, until they received orders
to move. Early in the battle a large
number of Federal guns we're planted
in amazing proximity to the Confeder-
ate infantry. 1t seemed impossible for
batteries to live there; but they remain
ed and kept firing. Whenever an at
tempt was made to advance against
them and the retiring infantry when
the latter had been repulsed, it was
frustrated by destructive crOss-fire
from the other batteries. A short time
after the battle began the two guns of
Bryan's battery on the left changed
front and fired to the right at two regi-
ments of infantry that moved around
till they were directly opposite the guns
and about 1000 yards distant on the
right, when they concealed themselves
in brush some 500 yards in front OF
Imboden's right. General Jones came
in person and conducted these two
guns to the extreme left, and behind
the infantry, and told the commander
of the section that he was going to
withdraw the infantry back through
al open field into the edge of the next
woods so as to be in line with Imboder
land Vaughn, and the guns were to re
main there and canister the enemy or
the flank if they pressed closely after
This movement. for some unknown
reason, was never executed. Possibly
an order was sent for the right to ad
vance, and never reached Vaughn o.
ImbOden. Certain it is that Colone
Jones told General Jones at one tim
that if he had on that wing the frs
gun ["Maggie''] of Bryan's battery ant
a gunner whom he named, he coul(
promise to dismount Federal gun a
every shot. Accordingly the orde
was sent, but it was never received
nor did the courier return. The gun
ner named was already on that wing
but neither the colonel nor the genera
knew that fact. Hours elapsed afte
Jones posted the guns as above describ
ed, during which time the Federal ar
tillery poured shell, shrapnel and CAMS
ter into the infantry.
At last the two thanking regiments
34th Mass, and 54th Pa, charged
tsquare across the front of Imboden ant
Vaughn, and struck the right and rea
of the Confederate left wing. ImbOdel
says he and Vaughn could easily hav
charged them on the left flank AM
swept them away, and even at tina
stage saved the day; but they had OF
ders to remain there and protect Jones
right flank. But what did Jones meal
when he said, protect my right fank2
Imboden and Jones have passed away
the writer never saw either except OF
that day, and will not undertake t.
answer the above question. but vii
ask another: Why was the right poste'
so far back The two regiments brok
the Sixtieth Virginia, confusion result
ed along the weary and thinned line
the whole Federal division advanced
the cavalry charged after, and all wa
over. McClanahan barely extricatet
his guns. They and Bryan 8 four gun
and the Boy battery (which had loni
before been withdrawn some distance
retired with Vaughn and Imboden b.
way of New Hope to Waynesboro
Both McClanahan and Bryan unlim
bered and aided in repelling charges
of cavalry as the remnant of the arm,
retired. The infantry, very much dis
organized, fled in the same direction
Bryan's two guns on the left were Gu
off and driving away from almos
among the enemy, reached the maca
damized road by the road they ha(
Travelled in the morning, and reached
Staunton at dusk. just as they start
ed "Nannles'' swingletree was broker
by canister, and the sergeant fastened
the trace to the splinter bar.
The Confederate loss was very great
and will never be exactly known. NJ
| reports seem to have been made. Ir
killed, wounded. and captured wal
| probably $500, General Jones was kill
ed, trying to rally the Sixtieth Regl
ment. Colonels Jones and Brown were
| captured. Hunter in his first report
says he lost less than 500; but such es
Inmates are withou value. The exact
returns seem not to have been publish