Report of Col. George H. Gordon on the action of 24 May, 1862Report of Col. George H. Gordon on the Battle of Winchester, 25 May, 1862Report of Lt. Col. George L. Andrews on the action of 24 May, 1862Report of Lt. Col. George L. Andrews on the Battle of Winchester, 25 May, 1862
GENERAL: I take the first moment of leisure from arduous military duties to report in brief the events of an engagement of forces under my command with the enemy on the march of the Fifth Army Corps, under General Banks, from Strasburg to Winchester, on the 24th of May:
Disasterous news from fugitives of the First Maryland Regiment, received the night of the 23rd instant, made it apparent that a very large force of the enemy threatened us at Strasburg. The precautionary order to pack and sent to the rear my brigade and regimental trains was complied with. They started for Winchester at night, and were thus saved.
The morning of the 24th brought little cheer. The worst reports were confirmed. Frequent reconnaissances during the night and morning of the 24th developed that a very large force of the enemy threatened to surround us at Strasburg. At 10 a.m. my brigade was ordered, in conjunction with the First Brigade of yur division, to move toward Newtown en route to Winchester, to check an approach of the enemy from that direction. No enemy being found at Middletown or within 4 miles in direction of Front Royal, our march was continued. Our column moved toward Strasburg in good order, preceded by an immense train of wagons and followed by many that could not be prepared for moving the night before. At 2 p.m. reports from the rear reached us that th etrain had been attacked by the enemy; that we were entirely cut off from our rear guard; that many wagons had been captured; that the enemy were pursuing us. The sound of his guns we could distinctly hear. With the view of uniting the train, if possible, and with the sanction of General Banks, I proceeded with two regiments of my brigade and two sections of artillery to attack the enemy and do what I might for the rescue of our rear guard and baggage. My force was increased by a third regiment, ordered by General Banks to report to General Hatch, commanding rear guard, if practicable. This regiment, the Twenty-eighth New York, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, fell also under my command. Upon arriving near Newtown I found some confusion in the trains, and saw perhaps six or seven wagons that had been overset and abandoned.
The Twenty-seventh Indiana, of my brigade (previously ordered with a section of artillery to this point), I found drawn up in line of battle. Th erebel battery and force were said to be at the town, distant beyond about half a mile. I made disposition to attack them with artillery and infantry, holding one regiment in reserve for further use. The Second Massachusetts, under Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, with skirmishers thrown to its front, covered the approaches to the town, supported by its own reserve and the Twenty-eighth New York.
The rebel force was at once driven from the town. A heavy fire of artillery was opened upon my command from a rebel battery, to which we replied with spirit, driving the enemy from his position. After an hour or more of skirmishing, with continued firing of artillery on both sides, I had driven the enemy from Newtown, which I held.
At this time I was joined by General Hatch, who had by a circuitous pathway been able to join the first half of the column. He at once confirmed my fears that the enemy in strong force had takena portion of the rear half of our train, with such stores as might have been left at Cedar Creek and such forces as had not happily escaped. I became convinced of the impossibility of making headway against the force in my front and I much feared being surrounded, as large bodies of cavalry were seen in the distance toward Winchester, my then rear.
It was now about 8 o'clock; General Hatch was safe; the enemy driven from Newtown; all our train in advance of the center protected from further assault. I determined to withdraw, and, as I could not transport, to burn the 7 or 8 abandoned wagons. This was accordingly done
The difficult task of keeping the enemy at bay was confided to the Second Massachusetts Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews. To aid him I ordered cavalry and one section of artillery to the rear. The column thus proceeded to join the main body at Winchester. Fearful of an attempt on the part of the enemy to seize the road where it enters Winchester (and which they did not an hour after the Second Massachusetts passed), I made rapid progress, reaching the environs of Winchester at about 12 o'clock at night. Frequent reports from Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews advised me of the good progress of the rear, also that they were somewhat annoyed with skirmishing cavalry. I sent him such additional forces as I thought might be necessary, but head of the regiment at about 1 o'clock. Rather a severe skirmish was then going on between the rear company of the regiment, Captain Underwood, and the enemy. Their temerity punished and their advance checked, we reached our encampment at 2.30 a.m.
The men of my brigade were without shelter, many of them without rations, having imprudently, though intending of offer better service, laid aside their knapsacks. Their capture by the enemy deprived of food.
The Second Massachusetts Regiment made this day a march of 30 miles, nearly 10 miles of which was a continued running fight. The service performed by this regiment on this occasion reflects the greatest credit upon both officers and men, never shaken by the discharge of artillery and musketry into their ranks. This noble regiment moved in column along the road, undismayed by an enemy they could not see, firing at the flashes of rebel rifles, supporting their wounded and carrying their dead. For more than 8 miles they guarded the rear of the column; then with two and half hours' slumber upon the earth, uncovered and unprotected, they were aroused by the cannon and musketry that ushered in the battle of Winchester, to do their part in the heroic struggle of that day.
I refer for particulars of this day's duty to the report of Lieut. Col. George L. Andrews, hereto appended.
I cannot too strongly praise the coolness and discretion of this officer upon this trying occasion.
Respectfully,
GEO. H. GORDON,Col. Second Massachusetts Regiment, Comdg. Third Brigade.
[OR, SERIES 1, VOL. 15., pg 614-616]
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Agreeably to instructions received from headquarters of the division, I have the honor to report the movements of my briagde in all engagement with the enemy on the 25th instant in front of and less than a third of a mile from the town of Winchester, Va.. At dawn in the morning I received information throught the officer commanding the pickets that the enemy in large numbers were driving them in and approaching the town. I immediately formed my brigade in line of battle, the right resting upon the commanding ridge, the left extending into the valley. The ridge surrounds the town, which it holds as in a basin. It is less than one-third of a mile distant, and presents many key-points for positions. I place my artillery, Battery M, of First New York, composed of six 6-pounder Parrotts, under Lieutenant Peabody, upon the ridge, and thus awaited further developments.
About 5 a.m. skirmishers from the Second Massachusetts, on the right and crest of the hill, became sharply engaged. At about the same time I directed the battery to open upon the columns of the enemy evidently moving into position just to the right and front of my center. This was done with admirable effect. The columns disappeared over the crest. For more than an hour a fire of shell and canister from several rebel batteries was directed upon my position. My brigade, being somewhat protected by a ravine, suffered but little loss. The fire of our skirmishers and the spirited replies of the battery, with heavy musketry and artillery firing on our left in Donnelly's brigade, were the only marked features of the contest until after 6 a.m.
At about 6.30, perhaps nearer 7 a.m. large bodies of infantry could be seen making their way in line of battle toward my right. They moved under cover of the dense wood, thus concealing somewhat their numbers. I directed the Twenty-seventh Indiana Regiment, Colonel Colgrove, to change position from the left to the right of line, holding the Second Massachusetts, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, first on the right, in the center, the Third Wisconsin Regiment, Colonel Ruger, forming the left. This movement I had hardly completed, despite a new battery which opened upon my line, when three large battalions of infantry moving in order of battle, came out fromtheir cover and approached my brigade. They were received with a destructive fire of musketry, poured in from all parts of my line that could reach them. Confident in their numbers and relying upon larger sustaining bodies (suspicions of which behind the covering timbers in our front were surely confirmed), the enemy's lines moved on, but little shaken by our fire. At the same time, in our front, a long line of infantry showed themselves, rising the crest of the hills just beyond our position. My little brigade, numbering in all just 2,102, in another moment would have been overwhelmed. On its right, left, and center immensely superior columns were pressing. Not another man was available; not a support to be found in the remnant of his army corps left General Banks. To withdraw was now possible; in another moment it would have been too late.
At this moment I should have assumed the responsibility of requesting permission to withdraw, but the right fell back under great pressure, which compelled the line to yield. I fell back slowly, but generally in good order, the Second Massachusetts, in column of companies, moving by flank; the Third Wisconsin, in line of battle, moving to the rear. On every side above the surrounding crest surged the rebel forces. A sharp and withering fire of musketry was opened by the enemy from the crest upon our center, left, and right. The yells of a victorious and merciless for were above the din of battle, but my command was not dismayed. The Second Massachusetts halted in a street of the town to reform its line, then pushed on with the column, which, with its long train of baggage wagons, division, brigade, and regimental, was making its way in good order toward Martinsburg.
My retreating column suffered serious loss in the streets of Winchester. Males and females vied with each other in increasing the number of their victims, by firing from the houses, throwing hand grenades, hot water, and missiles of every description. The hellish spirit of murder was carried on by the enemy's cavalry, who followed to butcher, and who struck down with sabre and pistol the halpess soldier, sinking from fatigue, unheeding his cries for mercy, indifferent to his claims as a prisoner of war.
This record of infamy is preserved for the females of Winchester. But this is not all. Our wounded in hospital, necessarily left to the mercies of our enemies, I am credibly informed, were bayoneted by the rebel infantry. In the same town, in the same apartments where we, when the victors on the fields of Winchester, so tenderly nursed the rebel wounded, were we so more than barbarously rewarded. The rebel cavalry, it would appear, give no quarter. It cannot be doubted that the butchered our stragglers; that they fight under a black flag; that they cried as the slew the wearied and jaded, "Give no quarter to the damned Yankees."
The actual number of my brigade engaged was 2,102.
In estimating the force of the enemy I turn for a moment to the movement of the First Division from Strasburg to Winchester on the preceding day, the 24thm and my engagement with the enemy during the march, which assured me of their presence in great force upon our right flank.
The capture and destruction of Colonel Kenly's command (First Brigade) on the 23rd at Front Royal while guarding our railroad communication with Washington and the facts set forth in my report of my engagement on the 24th tended to a conviction of the presence of a large force under General Ewell in the valley of the Shenandoah. The union of Jackson with Johnson, composing an army larger by many thousands than the two small brigades, with some cavalry and sixteen pieces of artillery, which comprised the entire army corps of General Banks, furnishes evidence justifying a belief of the intention of the enemy to cut us off frist from re-enforcements, second to capture us and our material, beyond peradventure.
From the testimony of our signal officers and from a fair estimate of the number in rebel lines drawn up on the heights, from fugitives and deserters, the number of regiments in the rebel army opposite Winchester was 28, being Ewell's division, Jackson's and Johnson's forces, the whole being commanded by General Jackson. These regiments were full, and could not have numbered much less than 22,000 men, with a corresponding proportion of artillery, among which were included two of the English Blakely guns. Less than 4,000 men in two brigades, with sixteen pieces of artillery, kept this large and unequal force in check for about three hours; then retreating in generally good order, preserved its entire trains and accomplished a march of 36 miles.
Where all the regiments in my brigade behaved so well it is not intended to reflect in the least upon others in mentioning the steadiness and perfect discipline which marked the action of the Second Massachusetts, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, and Third Wisconsin, Colonel Ruger. The enemy will long remember the destructive fire which three or four companies of the Third Wisconsin and a like number of the Second Massachusetts poured into them as these sturdy regiments moced slowly in line of battle and in column from the field.
I herewith enclose a losy of the killed, wounded, and missing of the serveral regiments of my brigade, hoping that the numbers will hereafter be reduced by arrivals of those marked missing. How many were captured it is impossible now to determine.
Colonel Murphy, Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania, is known to be a prisoner. Major Dwight, of the Second Massachusetts, while gallantly bringing up the rear of the regiment, was missed somewhere near or in the outskirts of the town. It is hoped that this promising and brave officer, so cool upon the field, so efficient everywhere, so much beloved by his regiment, and whose gallant service on the night of the 24th instant will never ne forgotten by them, may have met no worse fate than to be held a prisoner of war.
To my personal staff, Lieut. C.P. Horton,Second Massachusetts Regiment, my assistant adjutant-general, Lieut. H.P. Scott, of the same regiment, and my aide-de-camp, I am indebted for promptness in transmission of orders, for efficiency and gallant services in action.
I desire to express my thanks to Colonels Murphy, Ruger, Colgrove, and Andrews, and to the officers and men generally of my command, especially to officers and men of Battery M, whose skill and courage tended so much by their destructive fire to disconcert the enemy and hold him in check.
In fine, in the two days of the 24th and 25th of May the larger portion of my brigade marched 61 miles, the Second Massachusetts skirmishing on the 24th for more than six hours with infantry, cavalry, and artillery, the entire command on the 25th fighting a battle.
I herewith inclose such reports of colonels of regiments as have been forwarded.
Respectfully,
[OR. SERIES 1, VOL. 15, pg. 616-618]
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Second Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteers on the 24th instant.
At about 11 o'clock a.m. the regiment left camo at Strasburg, marching toward Winchester. After a fatiguing march of about 13 miles, when within 5 miles of Winchester I received an order to return toward Strasburg, to assist the rear guard in repelling attacks upon the train. Knapsacks were deposited at the side of the road to relieve the men, already much fatigued with the march over a dry, dusty road. We were followed by the Twenty-eighth New York Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, and a section of Best's battery, under Lieutenant Cushing.
On arriving at Newtown I found the Twenty-seventh Indiana Regiment formed in line on this side of the town with two sections of Cothran's battery, which were firing upon the enemy's cavalry in the edge of the wood on our left. I received an order to advance, take the town, and hold it until further orders. Companies A and C, under Captains Abbott and Cogswell, were deployed as skirmishers, and advanced, followed by the remainder of the regiment and the section of Best's battery, under a well-directed fire of the enemy's artillery, posted in the main street and in full view of their cavalry. The enemy was speedily driven from the town to a position on the heights beyond, from which he continued the fire of artillery, principally directed against the section of Cothran's battery, which had advanced and taken position on our right, but his fire was with little or no effect. The sections of Best's and Cothran's batteries replied by a well-directed fire.
At sunset an order came to withdraw and resume the march to Winchester, the desired object having been obtained. This was done, the two companies above mentioned forming the rear guard, and Company B, Captain Williams, thrown out as flankers; the artillery, with three companies of this regiment, leading, followed by the remainder of the regiment in column. We soon overtook the Twenty-seventh Indiana Regiment, which was engaged in the destruction of abandoned property of the train. This caused some delay, but the march was soon resumed. The Twenty-eighth New York was in advance of the Twenty-seventh Indiana. At the place in which the knapsacks were left the regiment was halted, and, the rear guard and flankers remaining in their places, the rest of the regiment were ordered to take their knapsacks. Six companies of the New York cavalry here joined us.
It was quiet now, and the enemy, who had not before shown himself on our return, made a cavalry charge, which was promptly repelled by a volley from the rear guard, which was delivered at short range with perfect coolness and great effect. The enemy then fired a single shell, which was replied to by another volley from the rear guard, and the enemy ceased for the time his attack. The companies composing the rear guard and flankers were now directed in turn to take their knapsacks; Company I, Captain Underwood, forming the new rear guard, and Company D, Captain Savage, the flankers.
The enemy now sent forward a line of skirmishers, who opened fire on Captain Underwood's company, which, although very severe, was sustained, and replied to with a steadiness most creditable to the officers and men of the company. The firing continuing, I sent forward in support on the right and left platoons of the companies of Captains Cogswell and Williams, and our fire soon produced a marked effect upon the enemy. Everything being now ready, the march was resumed. The enemy followed but a short distance. The march was continued until we reached Kernstown, when a helt was ordered, to rest the men and make arrangements to send forward some of the wounded. From the non-arrival of ambulances some delay occured, during which the enemy advanced and again opened his fire of skirmishers, which was promptly replied to by the rear guard.
The darkness of the night concealing the enemy deployed, while the column forming a dark mass upon the road was a fair mark, I ordered the march to be resumed, which was done in perfect order. The enemy did not pursue.
At 2 o'clock a.m. the 25th, the regiment reached Winchester after a march of 25 miles, having sustained firmly and successfully the reiterated attacks of the enemy, made under cover of the darkness of the night.
The conduct of officers and men was most admirable. Major Dwight, who was in immediate command of the rear guard, displayed much courage and skill.
Our loss in the affair was 3 killed and 17 wounded. I have also to regret the loss of Dr. Leland, who was taken prisoner while attending to our wounded men in a house near Kernstown. The loss of the enemy I have no means of estimating.
The regiment bivouacked for the night without fires, with little food, and much exhausted. The company of Captain Cogswell was ordered on outpost duty immediately, but rejoined th eregiment in the morning, when the outposts were driven in, having fallen back slowly in good order before the greatly superior forces of the advancing enemy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
[OR, SERIES 1, VOL. 15, pg. 620-622]
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers on the 25th instant:
After less than two hours' rest, following the fatugue of the preceding day, this regiment was called upon to go into action. Our outposts were seen to be driven in at an early hour, and the regiment was ordered to take a position on the heights southwest of the town, forming the extreme right of the line, the Third Wisconsin being the next regiment on the left.
While the regiment was marching to its position a fire of grape was opened upon it from the enemy's battery opposite. Nevertheless it steadily moved on and took its position. The right company, Captain Savage, was deployed to a stone wall a few rods in advance, from which its fire seriously annoyed the enemy's battery. A movement being observed on the part of the enemy to drive them away, Captain Carey's company was sent forward in support. Several volleys were also fired by the two right companies, directed at the battery, with evident effect. It was observed that one of the enemy's guns was abandoned by the cannoneers.
The action had continued about an hour and a half when the enemy appeared emerging from behind a wood, which had entirely concealed his movements, and advancing in line of battle directly upon our right flank. This was promply reported, and the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania and Twenty-seventh Indiana Regiments were ordered up and formed on the right of the Second Massachusetts. They opened a fire upon the enemy, but failing to check his rapid advance, which was favored by the ground, they fell back. This exposed the right of this regiment to the attack of the enemy's line, and I was onliged to withdraw it, the regiment marching down the hill in good order under a heavy fire from the enemy.
Upon entering one of the cross streets I halted the regiment, which formed in line with perfect steadiness and regularity, with the view of making a stand to check the advance of the enemy. Finding, however, that our forces were all in full retreat, and the regiment becoming exposed to a fire down the street from a large body of the enemy, the retreat was resumed, and we rapidly withdrew from the town, the men preserving their good order admirably. This regiment was the last to leave the town. The retreat was continued without a halt to Martinsburg, a distance of 22 miles; was resumed after a short rest and continued to the Potomac, a distance of 12 miles, making in all a march of 34 miles, almost without food or rest, from 12 o'clock m. on the 24th to 8 o'clock on the evening of the 25th.
The loss of the regiment on the 25th was 7 killed, 28 wounded (including 2 commissioned officers), and 131 missing, besides 2 commissioned officers. Of the missing many are daily coming in, having been compelled to halt from exhaustion, and afterward found their way by different routes. The 2 commissioned officers wounded, both slightly were Captain Mudge and Second Lieutenant Crowninshield. Major Dwight and Assistant Surgeon Stone are missing.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
[OR, SERIES 1, VOL. 15, pg. 622-623]
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