Reluctantly they withdrew, the enemy following, until they reached a stone fence about two hundred yards from the town, when the fight was renewed, and continued several hours, the enemy holding a position in cemetery lot. This the Marylanders finally drove them from with loss. We afterwards ascertained that it was the Fifth Maryland we had encountered, nearly the whole of which was captured next day. While this little affair was transpiring, Early was placing his artillery in position and moving a column of infantry (Hays’ Louisianians) in the rear of the town to storm a strong fortification, the key to the enemy’s works. About four o’clock the artillery opened, and under cover of it the Louisianians charged on the run, and in the time I am relating it, had possession of the place; and when had they ever failed in the assault? Holding these relative positions, darkness came upon the combatants, and we felt confident unless Milroy retired during the night he would be assaulted in the morning. Having command of the skirmish line I was instructed by General Ewell, who had come up that morning with the main body of his corps, to keep a watchful eye upon the enemy, and if I saw any signs of his withdrawing from his works to report the facts to him immediately. I therefore kept my scouts in the town all night, who constantly reported that everything indicated such a move, which intelligence was communicated to the commanding general, who hastened several brigades by a circuitous route around to the rear of the town, and about three miles distant, to intercept them should they attempt to escape by way of the Martinsburg road. Thus the night wore away, and at the first peep of day, agreeable to orders, I put my skirmishers in motion and entered the town. All was still as death. Not an enemy was to be seen as I cautiously moved along the deserted streets. Presently I met a citizen, who in reply to my interrogatories told me he thought Milroy had retired during the night. To make sure he was not mistaken I ascended with him to the upper story of his house, from whence I could see into the main fort, and although the flag seemed defiantly flying from the flag-staff I could see it was deserted. I had scarcely regained the street when the roar of artillery and the crash of small arms some two or three miles up the Martinsburg road confirmed my belief. Pushing rapidly down the main street, I did not halt until I reached the Taylor Hotel, where I encountered a half dozen unarmed Federal soldiers, who informed me their companions were all gone, and they had been left behind to attend the sick and wounded at the hotel, which had long before been converted into a hospital. I immediately moved up and took possession of the Star fort, where I found about two hundred of the enemy who had preferred to remain behind rather than follow the fortunes of Milroy.