Today in History:

245 Series I Volume XLIII-I Serial 90 - Shenandoah Valley Campaign Part I

Page 245 Chapter LV. THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY CAMPAIGN.

tially enfilading fire from a hill on the right and a little in our front, caused our line to give way gradually from the right. Falling back to a slight ridge about 200 yards a new alignment was made, while the rebels advanced their line of battle to the crest we had left. At so short range our fire was very effective. The rebel colors in our front were seen to fall and their line soon fell back to gain the protection of the ridge. Three guns of Captain McKnigh's battery (M, Fifth United States) had been abandoned on the ground we had left. A charge was now ordered to regain them, and the regiment, aided by a portion of the line on our left, gallantly charged up to the guns; Sergt. William Mahoney, color bearer, being the first to reach them, planting the colors upon one of the recaptured pieces. The portion of the line thus advanced was too small to enable it to follow up its success, and it was immediately exposed to a very severe fire from the front and right flank, while a large column of the enemy advanced up the ravine against our right. A dense fog rendered it difficult to distinguish friends from foes and caused much confusion and uncertainty. The position was held, however, for about fifteen minutes, until the rebels gained our left flank, when I withdrew my regiment to the point from which we had advanced, where the line was again reformed. The guns we had recovered were also withdrawn and placed in the new line, and the enemy, advancing on to the ridge in our front, were again compelled to fall back by our fire, aided by canister from the battery; but, pursuing their advantage on the left, they soon flanked us in such force as to compel a retreat. Although broken and somewhat scattered by the severe flank fire, our line fell back slowly, the men constantly turning and firing. In this way we retired about half a mile, under a cross-fire of musketry, as way we retired about half a mile, under a cross-fire of musketry, as well as sharp fire from several pieces of artillery posted on the commanding ridge near the pike. Reaching a cross-road, the line was halted and reformed at about 9 a.m. The enemy did not press us farther, though keeping up an artillery fire, but as they continued to advance on our left we were soon after withdrawn about one mile farther. Our loss in this part of the day was very severe. Captain L. D. Thompson, commanding Company D, was killed. Adjt. W. Lyman was severely wounded while gallantly aiding in encouraging the men and keeping line in order when falling back under a severe flank fire. At about noon the general line was established across the pike between Newtown and Middletown and slight breast works were thrown up of rails. A general advance was ordered at about 3.30 p.m. My regiment being on the right of the brigade moved with the division. Leaving the woods, as we pushed forward into the open field, the right of the line, uncovered by the troops on that flank not being equally advanced, was exposed to a concentrated fire, which for a few moments checked our forward movement. Some of the troops, gaining the shelter of a slight ridge, maintained their advanced position and kept up a sharp fire on the enemy. The troops were soon reformed, and, advancing with the general line, drove the rebels from a strong position behind a stone wall, pushing them back about half a mile. Here they took up a very strong position, on a high ridge behind a stone wall, and made a stout resistance for about half an hour, but, overpowered by our fire, their line showed signs of wavering, and a general advance being ordered the men sprang forward impetuously and drove them from their last position in confusion. No further resistance was made to our advance, and soon after dark we reached and took possession of our old camps.


Page 245 Chapter LV. THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY CAMPAIGN.