Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2) : $b A complete and reliable history of the war from its commencement to its close ... together with a complete chronological analysis of the warStephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
History
Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2) : $b A complete and reliable history of the war from its commencement to its close ... together with a complete chronological analysis of the war
Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Of the Ohio regiment a few escaped back to the main fort, but the
greater number were either killed or taken prisoners. The Union forces
were now completely hemmed in, but not defeated. Sharp and deadly firing
continued between the rebels and Unionists until dark. The First
brigade, under General Elliott, at this time occupied the main fort; the
Second, under Colonel Ely, occupied the town and the space to the main
fort on the northwest; and the Third, under General McReynolds, was
posted to the north of the main fort. The final charge of the day
occurred soon after dark; the rebels crossed a ravine between their main
position and the front, but were received by a hot and murderous fire
from the Union artillery, which hurled them back again, and the fighting
was over for the night. At midnight, after a council held by the brigade
commanders, General Milroy ordered a retreat to Harper’s Ferry. The
troops marched straight on the road to Martinsburg for about four miles,
when they were met by a large body of rebels. They attempted an advance,
but were violently repulsed; and two regiments, the Eighteenth
Connecticut, and Fifth Maryland, were captured entire. Of the whole
force, about four hundred reached Hancock and Cumberland; one thousand
six hundred reached Maryland Heights; and one thousand seven hundred
reached Bloody Run; while the remainder of the division of twelve
thousand men, with a large quantity of artillery and military stores,
were captured by the rebel forces.
CAPTURE OF MARTINSBURG.
JUNE 14, 1863.
While the fight just described was taking place at Winchester, the rebel
General Rhodes appeared in front of Martinsburg, a town some miles to
the north of Winchester, and demanded its surrender from General Tyler,
then in command. The surrender was proudly refused; and the rebels
immediately opened an attack, which was gallantly resisted until night
came on. Perceiving that he could not hold his position, General Tyler,
under cover of the darkness, prepared to evacuate the city. The movement
was discovered by the enemy, who at once renewed the attack, and a most
bloody contest began, which was kept up till the Union troops reached
the Potomac river. General Tyler, after a hard struggle, and the loss of
two hundred men, many pieces of artillery and a large quantity of
ammunition and grain, succeeded in crossing the river at Shepherdstown,
and moving on, to Harper’s Ferry. The rebels instantly took possession
of Martinsburg; their losses in the capture of it having been only one
killed and two wounded.
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