throughout the army was “why don’t we do it.” We afterwards learned that Gen. Grant’s orders were to avoid a decisive engagement if possible, as it would not do, at that time, for this army to suffer a defeat. Captain Shawhan joined the regiment on the 12th, and on the 15th, Col. Kellogg receiving a “sick leave,” went to his home, the command of the regiment again devolving upon Capt. Chamberlin. September 16th our army was visited by Gen. Grant, in order to confer in person with Gen. Sheridan. The General saw that all Gen. Sheridan wanted was permission to strike—it was given in two words—“go in”—and we went. The army was in motion before daylight on Monday the 19th, and before night closed upon us, the famous battle of “Opequan” was fought and won. We took the road in the direction of Winchester, the 6th and 19th corps’ having the advance. Firing commenced as soon as we were fairly started, and increased in volume as we advanced, to that roar which indicates the heavy engagement. We reached the Perryville Pike where it crosses the Opequan Creek, about 10 o’clock A. M., where we were held in reserve until about 2 o’clock P. M., when we were ordered up. We crossed the creek, and made our way along a narrow, woody gorge up to the front. The road was crowded with artillery, ammunition wagons, and ambulances, also with prisoners and wounded men moving to the rear, in fact, it was so choked up that it was with difficulty we picked our way through the debris. We at length reached a ravine, in front of which was a narrow strip of woods, and along its southern edge a division of the 19th corps was posted, and seemingly, heavily engaged. We were rapidly massed in column by brigade, with ours in front, and immediately moved forward, relieving this portion of the 19th corps, and as soon as they were massed and ready, the bugle sounded the advance, and we moved forward on the double-quick. Now commenced one of the most exciting charges ever participated in by a large army; for over two miles we drove them, over stone fences, up hills and down ravines, until about 4 o’clock P. M., when, our cavalry getting on their flank, they, no longer making any stand, went flying down the valley with Averill’s and Merritt’s gallant riders in hot pursuit. The 123d was the first regiment over the fortifications and into the city of Winchester. We went into the fight with six officers and one hundred and eighty-two men, losing seven men killed and three officers—Capt. Shawhan, Lieutenants Snyder and Johnson—and forty-two men wounded, receiving special praise from Gen. Thoburn, for our gallant conduct. In this truly great battle we captured nearly three thousand prisoners, five guns, and nine battle flags. Gen. Sheridan’s dispatch announcing the victory, was, “We have just sent them whirling through Winchester, and we are after them to-morrow. The army behaved splendidly.”