The right of the Eighth Ohio remained in front until about four o'clock P.M., when they were recalled to support one of our batteries on the heights. The Sixty-seventh Ohio was thrown on a hill to our right, to support Jenks' battery, which had been advanced to a position commanding the village of Kernstown and the wood on the right. lant manner in which he led his brigade during the conflict, and the gallant Carroll, Harrow, Foster, Lewis, Patrick, Thoburne, Sawyer, Buckley, Cheek, and Creighton, deserve well of their country. Col. Sullivan, Candy's brigade, on the left, was not attacked in force. His batteries and skirmishers engaged the enemy and prevented the turning of that flank: and he, too, merits the highest commendation. NATHAN KIMBALL, Colonel Commanding Shields' Division, ACTING BRIG.-GEN. TYLER'S REPORT. } Nathan Kimball, Colonel Commanding Shields' The Fourteenth Indiana was sent forward to support Clark's battery, which advanced along the road. The Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania was thrown over the hills to the right, to prevent a flank movement of the enemy. The Second brigade, commanded by Col. Sullivan, composed of the Thirteenth Indiana, Fifth Ohio, Sixty-second Ohio, and Thirty-ninth Illinois, were sent to the left, supporting Carroll's skirmishers, a section of Davis's battery, and Robinson's First Ohio bat- SIR: My command left Camp Shields at eleven tery, and to prevent an attempt which was made o'clock A.M., twenty-third March, reaching the to turn that flank. We had succeeded in driving Toll-Gate south of Winchester just as our batterthe enemy from both flanks and the front until ies were opened upon the enemy. Remaining in four o'clock P.M., when Jackson, with the whole column a short time, I received your order to of his infantry, supported by artillery and caval- strike the enemy on his left flank with my briry, took possession of the hillside on the right, gade, composed of the Seventh Ohio, Lieut.-Col. and planted his batteries in a commanding posi- Creighton; Twenty-ninth Ohio, Col. Buckley; tion, and opened a heavy and well-directed fire First Virginia, Col. Thoburne; Seventh Indiana, upon our batteries and their supports, attracting Lieut.-Col. Cheek, and One hundred and Tenth our attention whilst he attempted to gain our Pennsylvania, Col. Lewis. The order was exeright flank with his infantry. At this juncture, cuted with the Seventh Ohio on the right, TwentyI ordered the Third brigade, Col. E. B. Tyler, ninth Ohio on the left, First Virginia in the cenSeventh Ohio, commanding, composed of the Sev-tre, Seventh Indiana on the right wing, and One enth and Twenty-ninth Ohio, First Virginia, Seventh Indiana, and One hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania, to move to the right, to gain the flank of the enemy and charge them through the woods to their batteries posted on the hill. They moved forward steadily and gallantly, opening a galling fire on the enemy's infantry. The right wing of the Eighth Ohio, the Fourteenth and Thirteenth Indiana, Sixty-seventh and Fifth Ohio, and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, were sent forward to support Tyler's brigade, each one in its turn moving forward gallantly, sustaining a heavy fire, from both the enemy's batteries and his musketry. Soon all the regiments above named were pouring forth a well-directed fire, which was promptly answered by the enemy, and after a hotly-contested action of two hours, just as night closed in, the enemy gave way, and were soon completely routed, leaving their dead and wounded on the field, together with two pieces of their artillery and four caissons. Our forces retained possession of the field, and bivouacked for the night. The batteries, under their chief, Lieut.-Col. Daum, were well posted and admirably served during the whole action. Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania on the left wing, advancing in column of divisions. When within easy musket-range, the enemy opened fire upon us with his infantry force, consisting of nine regiments. The reception was a warm one, and so heavy firing was it, that I ordered up the reserve at once, when the action became general. The fire of the enemy was poured in upon us from behind a stone wall with terrible effect; yet the column moved forward, driving them from their cover into an open wood, when our men gave them a shower of leaden hail. The timely arrival of the Fourteenth Indiana, Lieut.-Colonel Harrow, in this unequal contest, was of immense service, followed as they were soon after by the Eighth Pennsylvania, Col. Murray; Thirteenth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. Foster, and still later by the Sixty-seventh Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Votis, and the Fifth Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Patrick, routing the enemy just as twilight was fading into night, leaving his dead and wounded on the field. We took from him one six and one twelve-pounder gun, with their caissons, and about three hundred prisoners. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded could not have been less than five hundred. I respectfully refer you to the several accompanying reports for the details of the engagement. To speak of the heroic acts of those engaged in I regret to report the loss of the gallant Col. Mur- the battle would require too much space in this ray, of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, who fell brief report. The officers and men behaved as while bravely leading forward his men amidst a gallantly as ever men did, and are entitled to fearful storm of shot and shell. When all have great credit. The field-officers of different regidone so well, both officers and men, and achieved ments exerted themselves manfully, many of them so much, it would be seemingly invidious to par- | having their horses shot under them early in the ticularize any individual officer, yet I can say, engagement, and others seriously injured. They without doing injustice to others, that Col. Tyler pressed forward with their men, determined to deserves the highest commendations for the gal-conquer or die. When all did so well, and show ed so much daring bravery, it would be unjust to mention one without mentioning all. That officers and men discharged their duty, the result plainly shows, and to them belongs the victory. To Acting Asst. Adjt.-Gen. E. S. Quay, and Aid-de-camp Lieut. Henry Z. Eaton, of my staff, I am greatly indebted for the prompt performance of their respective duties. Herewith I hand you a report of the dead and wounded of my command. All of which is respectfully submitted. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, E. B. TYLER, Col. Commanding Third Brigade, Shields' Division. BATTLE-FIELD NEAR WINCHESTER, March 23, 8 o'clock P.M. Acting Brigadier-Gen. Nathan Kimball, commanding Gen. Shields' Division: SIR: In accordance with your instructions, I struck the enemy's left flank with my command, and after contesting vigorously for two hours and forty minutes, he left the field, two guns, one six and one twelve-pounder, with caissons, and over five hundred of his dead and wounded. My command, with the reënforcements sent me, rest on their arms in the fields occupied by the enemy. E. B. TYLER, The Seventh Indiana infantry formed a part of the Third brigade of Gen. Shields' division, and at the time, was under the command of Lieut.-Col. Cheek, in the absence of Col. James Gavin, on important private business. The engagement was opened early in the day, and kept up by the artillery until about three o'clock P.M. The enemy had possession of a hill on their extreme left, which commanded our right, on which they had their batteries, supported by infantry, COMPLETE LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED OF THE and was playing upon us with considerable effect, SEVENTH REGIMENT, O.V.I. Co. A-Charles Stern, killed; Corporal Ed. Kelley, Corporal Wm. Saddler, Fred. Hoffman, Daniel Clancey, Leander Campbell, Joseph Miller, Hampton Gardner, Arthur Lappin, Thomas Fresher, wounded; Wm. Kehl, missing. Co. B-Jas. Carroll, Jas. Creiglow, Allen C. Lamb, Stephen W. Rice, killed; Duncan Reid, Jos. Smith, Albert E. Withers, Charles Fagan, badly wounded; Sergeant A. H. Fitch, Corporal Wm. E. Smith, and five others slightly wounded. Co. C-Ord. Sergeant A. C. Danforth, E. G. Sackett, killed; O. H. Worcester, W. Coleman, Stephen Kellogg, Jno. Gardner, F. M. Palmer, F. A. Warner, Daniel Kingsberry, Richard Winsor, wounded. Co. D-Corp. A. C. Griswold, Reuben Burnham, Louis Carver, killed. Co. E-Corp. Geo. Blandin, John Milliman, John Atwater, Geo. Anness, wounded. Co. F-Elias Hall, killed; Capt. A. C. Burgess, Corporal Benjamin Gridley, Fred. Bethel, Chas. W. Minnick, Moses Owens, Arba Pritchell, Edward Thompson, Edward E. Tracy, wounded; Anson Pritchard, missing. Co. G-John Fram, killed; Sergeant E. M. Lazonny, wounded. Co. H-Fred Groth, killed; Capt. J. F. Asper, wounded; A. A. Cavanaha, wounded; S. Bishop, wounded; Owen Gregory, wounded; James Hunt, wounded; W. McClurg, wounded; H. M. McQuiston, wounded; D. O'Connor, wounded; P. Tenny, wounded; Archibald Wise, missing. Co. I-James Bliss, killed; Lieut. Samuel when the Third brigade was ordered to turn their flank and charge their batteries. The Seventh Indiana was the second regiment in line, and with the first received the opening fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, and a moment after a volley from the entire line; yet our men moved forward until they received orders to deliver their fire, which they did, accompanied with a terrific yell, which none but Western men can give The effect met fully my expectations. We found the enemy greatly outnumbering us, posted be hind rocks and a stone wall running parallel with our advancing line. Still with the advantage of position and nearly or quite double our force, they were compelled to retire after contesting sharply for two hours and forty minutes, leaving their dead, wounded, and two pieces of artillery on the field. I desire to call your attention particularly to the Seventh regiment, which was under a galling fire during the entire engagement, fully sustaining the reputation of Indiana's gallant soldiery, standing up against such fearful odds with unequalled bravery. To Lieut.-Colonel Cheek and Major Shaw great credit is due for the manner in which each discharged his respective duties, fearlessly and without a fault. The line officers, so far as I observed, did their whole duty as gallantly as any other in the conflict, and deserve much credit for their daring bravery. At one time, had they given way, the battle must have been lost to us. The whole regiment, officers and men, merit special notice. The Fourteenth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. Harrow, and the Thirteenth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. Foster, were sent to reënforce us in a very critical moment, and I cannot speak in too high commendation of these gallant officers and their commands. Nobly did they discharge their duty, deserving well the title of Indiana's brave soldiers, and will receive no doubt, at your hands, and of the State, as Indiana men always have, full credit for their hard-earned fame. Well may Indiana be proud of her noble sons, and they of her. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Col. Commanding Third Brigade, Shields' Division. HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLS., Col. E. B. Tyler, Commanding Third Bri- distance, when darkness intervened, and we were ordered to halt and bivouac upon the ground so hotly contested by the enemy. Early in the action, my horse and that of Major B. C. Shaw were shot. The Major was severely hurt by being thrown against a tree, and was taken from the field. Up to that time he rendered me valuable service, exerting himself to perfect the lines as we advanced. jamin Abrams, by their brave examples gave cheer to the men, and by untiring exertions contributed greatly to our success. Adjutant Lostutter, although wounded in the early part of the action, remained with me, exe. cuting orders, and giving aid in rallying and encouraging the men. Without disparagement to other officers, it is but justice that I should speak of those who were with me and about me at all times namely, Capts. Will. C. Banta, Sol. Waterman, Merit C. Welch, Jesse Armstrong, and Wilson C. Lemert; and Lieuts. George C. Watson, (commanding company A,) David M. Hamilton, SIR: I respectfully submit the following re-Acting Quartermaster, Comar Chrisman, and Benport of the part taken by the Seventh regiment Indiana Volunteers in the battle at Winchester, Virginia, on the twenty-third instant. About one o'clock P.M., pursuant to your order, the regiment was formed, took position in the brigade, and by a forced march reached Kernstown (three miles south of Winchester) at half-past two P.M. I was then ordered to the support of Colonel Daum's battery, which was then in position and playing upon the enemy. Soon after the enemy changed the position of his batteries to an elevation to our right, and opened upon us a well-directed fire of shot and shell. At once my command was placed farther to the right of our batteries, under cover of woods. Here we remained until four o'clock P.M., when orders were received from you to take position in column, to charge and take the enemy's pieces. The result, to my regiment, was nine killed and thirty-five wounded, a list of whom, with name, grade and company, is herewith submitted. Many have slight wounds, which are not reported among the wounded. Your obedient servant, JOHN F. CHEEK, Lieut.-Col. Commanding Seventh Indiana. COLONEL FOSTER'S OFFICIAL REPORT. CAMP SHIELDS, HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH INDIANA, FOUR MILES SOUTH OF STRASBURG, VA., March 26, 1862. Col. J. C. Sullivan, Acting Brig.-Gen. Commanding Second Brigade: SIR: In obedience to your order, I herewith submit the following report of the part taken by the Thirteenth regiment Indiana Volunteers, in the action of the twenty-second and twenty-third of March, near Winchester, Va. Your order was promptly obeyed, and the column proceeded under cover of timber to within a short distance of the enemy's left, when the enemy (concealed from us, and sheltered behind I was ordered by you to withdraw my coma stone fence and other temporary works) opened mand, (which was stationed on picket duty on upon us a destructive and blinding fire of canis- the Front Royal and Cedar Creek road,) and to ter and musketry. About this time an order was report to you at the toll-gate on the Strasburg given to deploy column, (the several regiments pike. Collecting my command, I proceeded imbeing then in column of division,) but amid the din mediately to join you, and reached the toll-gate of musketry, and the roar of artillery, no order about ten A.M., and marched forward on the right could be heard by the men. Our forces partly of your brigade, and took position in front of and avoided the fire of the enemy by falling down on the enemy's right, which position we occupied and taking advantage of a ridge between us and until five P.M., under a heavy fire of shell and the stone fence. The fire of the enemy was re-round-shot from his batteries, which were staturned with telling effect, our men giving deadly tioned in the edge of a wood. At five P.M., you aim wherever the enemy could be seen. ordered me to the enemy's left, to support a part of the First and Second brigades. We marched over the hills on the right, exposed to a heavy fire of grape and shell. The fierceness with which our forces withstood the fire from a vastly superior force, for two hours and forty minutes, demands the greatest praise. Upon the appearance of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania and the Fourteenth Indiana regiments, which were ordered to our support, a rout of the enemy commenced, which soon became complete, many throwing down their arms and retreating in the greatest confusion. My command was soon in line, and following the Seventh Ohio, pursued the enemy a short We took position on the left of the Fourteenth Indiana, which had been pressed back by the overwhelming numbers brought into action by the enemy, immediately in front and on their left. Here it was that the Thirteenth Indiana suffered most, being exposed to the fire of a whole brigade posted behind a stone fence and in an open wood. Inch by inch the brave and gallant men of my command, the Thirteenth, pressed them back. The Fourteenth Indiana's left ral-order to report for duty as Aid-de-Camp on your lied promptly to our support, and I gave the com- staff, I left headquarters for Kernstown, and asmand to "Forward-charge bayonets!" Here sisted Colonels Kimball, Tyler, and Sullivan in it was that the two remnants of the Thirteenth their efforts as commanders of brigades, fighting and Fourteenth Indiana regiments went in with the enemy under Gen. Jackson, and to insure an a yell and drove from the field a whole brigade, unity of action of their three respective comwhich proved to be Loring's celebrated Irish bri-mands. gade of the provisional army, and completely routed them. We should have captured their colors had it not been that night was coming on, and for fear of firing into our own men I ordered a halt. It was so dark that we could pursue them no further. After gathering up the wounded on our own and on the rebel side, we slept on our arms until daylight, when I proceeded to join you on the advance toward Strasburg in pursuit of the enemy, and have arrived at this camp, after sharing the honors of being in the advance with your brigade, and driving the enemy beyond this place a distance of twenty-two miles. Before closing this report, I must refer to the officers and men of the Thirteenth regiment. All alike acted nobly and fought bravely, adding new laurels to those already won in Western Virginia. Lest I should be thought to prefer one above another, I forbear making any personal mention, as they all, both officers and men, fought with a coolness and desperation that proved them not inferior to our brave Hoosiers who are battling in other localities for our holy cause. The medical staff, and more particularly of our own Assistant Surgeon, require of me a mention. Dr. Gall, principal, having been detailed during the early part of the action to take charge of the wounded, who were being sent to Winchester, left Dr. W. C. Foster alone on the field, and he was in the thickest and hottest of the fight, with the members of the Thirteenth's band, carrying off the killed and wounded as they fell on the field, and but for him our list of dead would have been greater than it is. We captured a number of commissioned officers, some of whom are wounded. Among them are a major and an aid to the rebel Gen. Jackson, a number of lieutenants and privates, and a quantity of small arms, all of which I will report to you as soon as I can ascertain the exact number of each. I reported at half-past nine A.M., to Col. Kimball, Acting Brigadier, and senior officer on the field, who was stationed on a hill almost one half mile west of Kernstown, which latter place is intersected by the turnpike leading to Strasburgh. There I informed myself as to the events which had transpired previous to my arrival, and understood that the enemy who, in endeavoring to drive in our pickets the day before, had been repulsed, had opened with his artillery about eight o'clock A.M., upon our forces again; and that since the time we were engaged responding to his battery of four guns, which he then had in play, and in endeavoring to repel his small but harassing attacks of cavalry upon our chain of sentinels. Reconnoitring the ground surrounding me, I found that between the hill upon which I now stood with Col. Kimball and the hill opposite us, upon which the enemy's battery was posted, about half a mile distant, a ravine was lying, running from east to west, which is entirely free of wood; when about half a mile to the east a forest connected both hills, through the centre of which passes a mud road, and is bounded on its extreme right by another mud road leading to Cedar Creek. The country to the left (west) of the turnpike is flat and comparatively little wooded. We placed in position a six-gun battery, comcommanded by Captain Jenks' First Virginia ar tillery, to oppose the enemy's four guns, which latter were soon reenforced by a whole battery, whereupon Capt. Clark's regular battery was put in prolongation of the former named. Both batteries were fought by Col. Daum, Chief of artillery of Gen. Shields' division, in person. Our fire from the two batteries became too hot for the enemy, and they brought a third battery in the direction of their right wing, in such position upon our two batteries on the hill, that they enfiladed them, but with this manoeuvre exposed their battery to a raking fire of one of the Ohio batteries placed near Kernstown to defend the pike, and they were necessitated to limber to the rear with all their batteries, but continued their fire. In the mean time the infantry regiments were Our loss is about forty or fifty killed and wounded. Among the wounded are Major Dodds and Capt. Sales, of company G. Circumstances and orders to move forward prevent me from giv-moving up to the support of our batteries, and ing you a more detailed account at this time. Enclosed find a list of killed and wounded. I am respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT S. FOSTER, Lieut.-Col. Commanding Thirteenth Indiana, R. C. SHRIBER'S REPORT. WINCHESTER, March 26, 1862. To Brig. Gen. James Shields, Commanding Second Division, Fifth Army Corps. GENERAL: I beg respectfully to report to you that after having received, on Sunday last, the ty-third of March, at nine o'clock A.M., an formed into line of battle about a thousand yards to the rear of our batteries, when at once the enemy's heavier battery moved to the front, and threw, in rapid succession, a number of well-aimed shell into our batteries and the cavalry and infantry stationed upon the interior slope of the battery-hill, and the necessity to storm and take their guns became evident. In conjunction with Colonels Kimball and Tyler, the following infantry regiments were drawn up in mass, parallel with each other: The right, resting upon the mud road passing through the forest, was held by the Seventh Ohio, the Sixty seventh and Fifth following, and the Thirteenth now fast retreating enemy, when I met with six Indiana, and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, and of Ashby's cavalry — who shot down my orderly Twenty-ninth Ohio a little to the rear; thus leav-and killed his horse-one of their bullets piercing ing the One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania my cap. I was compelled to use my sword to and the three companies of the Eighth Ohio in re- kill one of them. serve. During the time these arrangements were made a messenger was sent to you, General, to have your approval as to this flank movement, and I personally apprised all the commanders in the rear and flanks of our intentions, so as to keep then on the alert. Col. Daum was enjoined to keep his artillery in lively fire, so as not to direct the attention of the enemy from him, and when the order came to move on everything was ready to respond. Gen. Tyler moved his column by the right flank as far as the Cedar Creek road, rested his right upon the same, and the left upon the before-mentioned mud road, pushing forward upon both roads some cavalry, changed direction to the left, right in front, and moved silently but steadily upon the enemy's left through the woods for almost half a mile, when, coming upon a more sparsely wooded ground, he made half a wheel to the left, and came to the face of the extreme flank of the enemy, who received him behind a stone wall at about two hundred yards' distance with a terrific volley of rifled arms; but still on went the regiments without a return fire, and then threw themselves with immense cheering and an unearthly yell upon the enemy, who, receiving at fifteen yards our first fire, fell back across the field, thus unmasking two six-pound iron-guns, which hurled, on being cleared in front, death and destruction into our ranks with their canister. The cavalry captured two hundred and thirtynine prisoners, and met only with little resistance from the enemy's cavalry. At eight P.M. the musketry ceased. A few more cannon-shots from their extreme left were fired, so as to withdraw our attention from the retreating foe, and all was over. Our men remained on the field of battle picking up the wounded, and slept upon their arms, and awoke for the pursuit of the enemy on the morning of the twenty-fourth, who fell rapidly back beyond Newton, when at nine o'clock of the morning of that day Major-Gen. Banks took command, and I reported back to you. General, I have the honor to be ever ready to serve in so glorious a body of soldiers, under your able leading. Your most obedient, humble servant, R. C. SHRIEER. GEN. SHIELDS' ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE, The following letter from Gen. Shields, to a.. HEADQUARTERS GENERAL SHIELDS' DIVISION, S I will give you a brief account of our late operations. My reconnoissance beyond Strasburg, on the eighteenth and nineteenth inst., discovered Jackson reënforced in a strong position, near NewBut still onward we went, taking one gun and Market, within supporting distance of the main two caissons, and making there a short stand. body of the rebels under Johnston. It was necesAgain the enemy unmasked two brass pieces, sary to decoy him from that position. Therefore which at last drove us back by their vigorous fire. I fell back rapidly to Winchester on the twentieth, But I saw that the captured gun was tipped over, as if in retreat, marching my whole command so that the enemy, in regaining the ground, could nearly thirty miles in one day. My force was not drag it away. The Fifth Ohio and Eighty-placed at night in a secluded position, two miles fourth Pennsylvania threw themselves forward from Winchester, on the Martinsburg road. once more with fixed bayonets, the former losing On the twenty-first the rebel cavalry, under their standard-bearer four times in a few minutes. Ashby, showed themselves to our pickets, within Capt. Whitcomb at last took the colors up again, sight of Winchester. On the twenty-second all and cheering on his men fell also. So, too, Col. of Gen. Banks's command, with the exception of Murray, while gallantly leading on his Eighty-my division, evacuated Winchester, en route for fourth regiment. In fact that ground was strewn Centreville. This movement and the masked powith dead and wounded. Gen. Tyler lost there sition of my division made an impression upon his aid, Lieut. Williamson of the Twenty-ninth the inhabitants, some of whom were in secret Ohio. communication with the enemy, that our army had left, and that nothing remained but a few regiments to garrison this place. Jackson was signalized to this effect. I saw their signals and divined their meaning. About five o'clock on the afternoon of the twenty-second, Ashby, believing that the town was almost evacuated, attacked our pickets and drove them in. This success increased his delusion. It became necessary, however, to repulse them for the time being. I therefore ordered forward a brigade, and placed it in front between Winchester and the enemy. I hurried back to bring up the One Hundred and Tenth and Fourteenth Indiana, by a right oblique movement through the woods, and the enemy, receiving all the combined shock, retired and left us in possession of our dearly-bought gun and caissons. United, onward we pressed; again the enemy's two brass pieces and musketry poured in their fire. Three companies of the Eighth Ohio reenforcing us, we gained our brass piece and its caisson, and compelled the enemy to fall back. This was at seven P.M. I moved to the right flank, and caused the cannon to go forward on the I only let them see, however, two regiments of infantry, two batteries of artillery, and a small |