WASHINGTON, May 25.
Despatches received by the War Department state
that Gen. Banks was attacked at Winchester this morning and has fallen back
towards Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry.
The enemy are reported to be in large force, and many reports state that
the rebel force has left Richmond and moved North to take the offensive.
HEAD-QUARTERS,
Martinsburg, May 25, 2:40 pm.
To the
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
The Rebels attacked us this morning at day break, in great force.
Their number was estimated at 15,000 consisting of Ewell
's and
Jackson's divisions. The fire of
the pickets began with day-light and was followed by artillery until the lines
were fully under fire on both sides.
The left wing stood firmly, holding its ground well, and the right did
the same for a time when two regiments broke the line under the fire of the
enemy. The right wing fell back and
was ordered to withdraw and the troops passed through the town in considerable
confusion. They were quickly
reformed on the other side and continued their march in good order to
Martinsburg, where they arrived at 2:40 p.m. a distance of 22 miles.
Our trains are in advance, and will cross the river in safety.
Our entire force engaged was less than four thousand, consisting of
Gordon's and Donnelly's Brigades, with two regiments of cavalry under Gen.
Hutch, and two batteries of artillery.
Our loss was considerable, as was that of the enemy but cannot now be
stated.
We were reinforced by the Tenth Main, which did good service, and a
regiment of cavalry.
(Signed)
N. P. Banks. Major-General
Commanding
__________
THE FIGHT AT FRONT
ROYAL!
Two members of Col. Kenley's Maryland regiment have arrived in
Baltimore, and report that they were attacked by a large cavalry force under
Ashby, and several regiments of infantry, and twice repulsed them with great
loss. Kenley's force consisted of
the First Maryland regiment, one section of Knapp's Pennsylvania battery,
three companies of the 29th Pennsylvania, and whilst the fight York
cavalry came to his assistance. The
fight commenced at 12 o'clock and continued up to night, when the infantry
force succeeded in surrounding them.--The first fight and repulse took place
east of the Shenandoah, and finding the force too great, he retreated to the
west side, destroying one of the bridges, but was too hotly pursued to succeed
in destroying the principal bridge. He
made another stand on the west side of the river, and Knapp's battery mowed
the enemy down with shell and grape. They fired in all nearly two hundred
rounds.
Kenley received a musket shot in the neck during the first attack, but
continued on horseback until the close of the day, when he was placed in an
ambulance, perfectly exhausted. Another
account states that Col. Kenley was subsequently taken a prisoner.
The last fight took place about four miles this side of Front Royal, his
efforts being to fall back in order, expecting reinforcements momentarily from
Gen. Banks. A member of Knapp's
battery, who escaped, says that the Maryland regiment fought with indomitable
bravery, and that Col. Kenly led them on frequently to bayonet charges.
He also says that on the third approach of Ashby he displayed a white
flag until within pistol range. When Col. Kenley ordered to cease firing,
the white flag was thrown down, and the enemy rushed on our troops, cutting and
slashing and refusing all quarter. Lieut. Col. Dunshane and Maj. Miller are
both reported wounded and prisoners.
________
THE BATTLE OF
WINCHESTER.
We are then informed that Banks, having been strongly reinforced, would
return to Strasburg, and that Gen. Geary occupied a strong position at White
Plains, and had also been reinforced. But notwithstanding this reassuring
news the next intelligence we have is a dispatch away back at Martinsburg,
stating that the rebels under Ewell and Jackson, had attacked him at Winchester
on Sunday morning in great force, estimated at 15,000.
The fire of the pickets began with daylight and was followed by the
artillery until the lines were fully under fire on both sides.
The left wing stood firmly holding its ground well, and the right did the
same for a time, when two regiments broke the lines, under the fire of the
enemy. The right wing of the enemy
then fell back. They were then
ordered to withdraw, and the troops passed through the town in considerable
confusion. They were quickly
re-formed on the other side, and continued their march in good order to
Martinsburg, where they arrived at 2:40 p.m., distance twenty-two miles.
Our trains were said to be in advance, and will cross the river in
safety. Our entire force engaged was
less than four thousand, consisting of Gordon's and Donnelly's brigades,
with two regiments of cavalry, under General Hatch, and two batteries of
artillery. Our loss is considerable,
as was that of the enemy, but cannot now be stated. Banks was reinforced by
the Tenth Maine regiment, which did good service, and a regiment of cavalry.
Rapid Time Made by
Banks.
General Sigel is said to have made some masterly retreats, but Banks
certainly beats him in celerity of motion. His force at Winchester was
attacked at daybreak. How long they
fought is not known, but one dispatch says six hours.
This cannot be true, for we find Banks at Martinsburg, a distance of
twenty-two miles, at 2:40 p.m. We
have somewhat contradictory accounts now about what happened to Banks, and as to
the enemy's designs. The latest
dispatch states that Banks had made good his retreat across the Potomac at
Williamsport, and that General Saxton was in command at Harper's Ferry.
One report has it that the enemy are advancing from Winchester upon
Harper's Ferry, and that our troops are being reinforced.
A prisoner, captured on Sunday eve, reports, as Gen. Banks dispatches,
that the rebel force is to be strengthened, and that their purpose is to enter
Maryland at two points, Harper's Ferry and Williamsport.
If they are allowed to enter Maryland it will be a most extraordinary
proceeding, or if entering it, a single one of the rebels is allowed to get back
to tell the tale, it will be still more extraordinary.
____________
WASHINGTON, May
25.
The enemy, under Gen's Ewell and Johnston with a superior force, gave battle to Gen. Banks this morning at
daylight, at Winchester. Gen. Banks
fought them six hours, and then retired in the direction of Martinsburg, with
what loss is unknown. The enemy are,
it is understood, advancing from Winchester upon Harper's Ferry.
Our troops there are being rapidly reinforced.
Rumor says that Jackson is advancing to support Ewell and Johnston, and
there are also statements that still another force is behind him.
Prompt measures have been taken to meet the emergencies if truly
reported.
A dispatch received tonight states that General Banks has made good his
retreat across the Potomac at Williamsport.
WASHINGTON, May 25.
General Rufus Sexton is in command at Harper's Ferry.
HEAD-QUARTERS BEYOND MARTINSBURG,
May 25, 5:35 p.m.
A prisoner captured this afternoon says the Rebel force in our rear is to
be strengthened, and that their purpose is to enter Maryland at two points.
Harper's Ferry and Williamsport. He
confirms all we have heard in regard to the Rebel force there.
We will pass the Potomac to night safe--men, trains and all, I think--making a march of thirty five miles.
(Signed) N. P.
Banks, Major General
Commanding.
________________
DISPATCH FROM GEN.
BANKS
WILLIAMSPORT,
4 o'clock p.m.
To the President:
I have the honor to report the safe arrival of my troops at this place
last evening at ten o'clock, and the passage of the 5th corps
across the river to day, with comparatively but little loss, missing in the
different combats in which my command has participated, since the march from
Strasburg on the morning of the twenty-fourth instant.
I am unable now to report, but I have great gratification in being able
to represent it, although serious, as much less than might have been anticipated
considering the very great disparity of forces engaged and the unatured plans of
the enemy, which aimed at nothing less than the entire capture of our forces.
A detailed statement will be forwarded as soon as possible.
My command encountered the enemy in a constant succession of attacks, and
in well-contested engagements at Strasburg, Middletown, Newtown, and at a point
also between these places and at Winchester.
The force of the enemy was estimated at from fifteen to twenty thousand
men, with very strong artillery and cavalry supports.
My own force consisted of two brigades, less than four thousand strong,
all told, fifteen hundred cavalry, ten Parrott guns, and six smoothbores.
The substantial preservation of the entire supply is a source of
gratification. It numbered about
five hundred wagons. On a forced
march of the fifty-three miles, formed in one day, subject to constant attack in
front, rear and flank, according to its position, by the enemy in full force,
the panics of teamsters, and the mischances of a river passage of more than
three hundred yards, and the slender preparations for ford and ferry, it lost
not many more than fifty wagons.
A full statement of this loss will be forwarded forthwith.
A very good commendation is due to Capt. Hollabird;
A. G. M., and Capt. E. G. Beckwith for the safety of the
train. Our troops are in good
spirits, and occupy both sides of the river.
[Signed] N.
P. BANKS,
Maj. Gen. Commanding.
____________
Order for More
Troops from Gov. Curtin.
The following highly important order was received by telegraph from
Harrisburg. It was anticipated and
occasioned no surprise.
HEADQUARTERS PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA. General Orders No. 23. On the
pressing requisition of the United States Government in the present emergencies,
it is ordered. That the several Major Generals, Brigadier Generals and Colonels
of Regiments throughout the Commonwealth to muster without delay, all the
military organizations within their respective divisions, or under their
control, together with all persons willing to join their commands and proceed
forthwith to the City of Washington, or to such points as may be indicated by
future orders. By order of
A. G. CURTIN
A. L. RUSSELL, Adj. Gen.
___________
Source: The
Indiana Democrat, May 28, 1862
