The scene that was presented as the smoke lifted beggars description. The ground was literally covered, nay piled, with the slain and maimed of the enemy, and the survivors were in full retreat. They were soon reformed, however, and again moved boldly to the attack, but only to be again mercilessly slaughtered and driven back. A third time they essayed, but with the same result, when, a disordered mass of fugitives, the survivors sought the shelter of the woods from which they had but a few minutes before emerged, confident of success. How anxiously the great chieftain, Lee—who was close by—must have watched the dreadful struggle which was to decide the fate of his army, and perhaps of the cause for which he was battling; and how great must have been the relief as he saw the enemy in retreat and Jackson’s shattered columns once more reformed. Night put an end to the dreadful conflict, and Lee still held his ground, despite the herculean efforts of his adversary to drive him from it, but the day’s struggle had cost him thousands of his bravest and best. The brave Brockenborough that day won his Major’s star, and, with his battery, received special mention in General Lee’s official report. The morning of the 18th broke clear and beautiful, and General Lee was in readiness to renew the fight, which it was not doubted would begin at an early hour. But McClellan’s beaten and shattered army required time and rest and reinforcements before again prepared for aggressive operations; and finding this to be the case, Lee proceeded to bury his dead, and that night, unmolested, recrossed the river at a point near Shepherdstown. CHAPTER III. Soon after the battle of Sharpsburg, the Baltimore Light Artillery, now under command of Captain W. H. Griffin, was ordered to join the cavalry and infantry of the Maryland Line, then encamped near New Market, in the Valley of Virginia. Here they passed the fall and winter months quietly in camp, and in early spring were again prepared, with recruited ranks and renewed equipments, to enter the field. On the 13th of June the infantry and artillery of the Maryland Line, with one company of its cavalry, all under command of Lieutenant-Colonel James R. Herbert, moved towards Winchester, near which place they were to unite with the division of General Early, which was moving across from Front Royal. Near Kearnstown a body of Milroy’s cavalry was encountered, but a shot from the battery scattered them in all directions. A short time after, Early came up and proceeded to form line of battle. The enemy soon made his appearance in force, and opened a severe fire upon Griffin from his batteries, which was vigorously responded to, and in a little while the enemy were driven beyond Kearnstown. Early, as soon as he had formed his line of battle, moved forward, and by a spirited charge of Gordon’s brigade, drove him into his strong works to the left of Winchester.