The forces engaged on our side were the brigades of Generals Hampton, W. H. F. Lee, and Jones.

We understand that the Yankees burned Kelly's Mill.

The fight, on the whole, may be said to have begun in a surprise and ended in a victory. The latter is what we are accustomed to hear of confederate soldiers; the former we trust never to hear again.

THE REBEL PRESS ON THE fight.

RICHMOND, June 12.

have taken at least as many prisoners toward the close of the day as they lost in the morning, they may be considered victors.

But it is a victory over which few will exuit. It resembles that other victory won at Kelly's Ford on the seventeenth of March. Both would have been well merited defeats if valor had not paid the price of conceit and carelessness. The ease with which the enemy outwitted the guard of the river on the first occasion was the prompter of Stoneman's incursion at the head of ten thousand horse into the heart of the State, which he accomplished without the slightest interference The more the circumstances of the late affair from the confederate cavalry. It is with pain at Brandy Station are considered, the less pleas-that these reflections are made. They occur at ant do they appear. If this was an isolated case, this moment, not only to the present writer, but it might be excused under the convenient head also to the whole public, and their utterance may of accident or chance. But this much puffed have a wholesome effect. Events of this decavalry of the army of Northern Virginia has scription have been lately too frequent to admit been twice, if not three times, surprised since of the supposition that they are the results of the battles of December, and such repeated acci-hazard. They are the effects of causes, which dents can be regarded as nothing but the neces- will produce like effects while they are permitted sary consequences of negligence and bad man- to operate, and they require the earnest attention agement. If the war was a tournament, invented both of the chiefs of the government and the and supported for the pleasure and profit of a heads of the army. The enemy is evidently defew vain and weak-headed officers, these disas-termined to employ his cavalry extensively, and ters might be dismissed with compassion. But has spared no pains or cost to perfect that arm. the country pays dearly for the blunders which encourage the enemy to overrun and devastate the land with a cavalry which is daily learning to despise the mounted troops of the Confederacy. It is high time that this branch of the service

should be reformed.

The only effective means of preventing the mischief it may do is to reorganize our own forces, enforce a stricter discipline among the men, and insist on more earnestness among the officers in the discharge of their very important duty.

-Richmond Examiner.

Doc. 11.

EVACUATION OF WINCHESTER.
MAJOR-GENERAL MILROY'S REPORT.

BALTIMORE, June 30, 1863.

COLONEL: I have been compelled by the ex

command to defer until this time a report of the recent operations about Winchester. Having no reports from brigade commanders and not even an opportunity of conferring with them, I am still unable to give a detailed report. A sense of duty to myself and to the officers and soldiers which I had the honor to command requires that I should submit some general statements.

The surprise on this occasion was the most complete that has occurred. The confederate cavalry was carelessly strewn over the country, with the Rappahannock only between it and an enemy who has already proven his enterprise to our cost. It is said that their camp was supposed to be secure, because the Rappahannock was not believed to be fordable at the point where it was actually forded. What! do Yan-igencies of public duties connected with my late kees then know more about this river than our own soldiers, who have done nothing but ride up and down its banks for the last six months. They knew at least the weather was dry, the water low, and that fifteen or twenty thousand horse, confident from impunity and success, were on the other side. They could not have failed to know this much; and they were surprised, caught at breakfast, made prisoners on foot, with guns empty and horses grazing. Although the loss was insignificant, the events of that morning were among the least creditable that have occurred. Later some of the best officers sacrificed their lives to redeem the day. A very fierce fight ensued, in which, it is said, for the first time in this war, a considerable number of sabre-wounds were given and received. In the end the enemy retired, or was driven, it is not yet clearly known which, across the river. Nor is it certainly known whether the fortunate result was achieved by the cavalry alone or with the assistance of confederate infantry in the neighborhood. As the Southern troops remained masters of the field, and as they are believed to

I occupied Winchester with my command on the twenty-fifth of December last, and continued in its occupancy until Monday morning, the fifteenth instant, when, for reasons which will appear in the sequel of this report, I was compelled to evacuate it. When I first occupied Winchester, the valley of the Shenandoah, from Staunton to Strasburgh, was occupied by the rebel General Jones, with a force variously estimated at from five to six thousand men, and constituted principally of cavalry. Imboden at the same time occupied the Cacapon Valley with a force composed of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, estimated at one thousand five hundred men. These were the only forces by which I was in danger of being assailed, unless by a force from Lee's

Shawl that a superior force of cavalry of the enemy had been discovered in line of battle immediately north of Middletown. The infantry and artillery were immediately concealed, the former in a dense grove to the right and within one hundred yards of the road, and the latter behind a ridge. Our cavalry retired skirmishing with the enemy, until he was drawn within reach of the fire of the infantry. Upon the first fire of our infantry, the enemy retreated precipitately, fol lowed by our cavalry, which pursued beyond Middletown.

army, which it was supposed would be prevented from hostile demonstrations in my direction by the army of the Potomac. The object in occupying Winchester was to observe and hold in check the rebel forces in the valley and to secure the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad against depredations. Late in March, in pursuance of an order issued upon my own suggestion, I stationed the Third brigade of my division, consisting of the Sixth regiment Maryland volunteer infantry, Sixty-seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, First regiment New-York volunteer cavalry, and the Baltimore battery, at Berryville, In this affair the enemy lost fifty (as has since Colonel McReynolds, of the First New-York been ascertained) in killed and wounded, and we cavalry, commanding. My instructions to Col. took thirty-seven prisoners. Colonel Shawl reMcReynolds were to keep open our communica-mained on the ground an hour, during whien tion with Harper's Ferry, and to watch the time his cavalry scoured the country in every dipasses of the Blue Ridge (Snicker's and Ashby's rection, but could detect no traces of an accumuGaps) and the fords of the Shenandoah River lation of rebel forces. The prisoners taken all known as Snicker's and Berry's. To this end belonged to the Maryland battalion and Fourhe was to cause to be diligently scouted, the teenth regiment Virginia cavalry, troops which country between him and those localities, and as had been in the valley and on picket-duty during far south as Millwood. I was expressly instruct- the whole period of my occupancy of Winchester. ed to undertake no offensive operations in force. Besides, separate examinations of the prisoners Acting in accordance with these instructions, I disclosed that there was no accumulation of rebel kept my forces well in hand in the vicinities of forces there. Col. Shawl made his report to me Berryville and Winchester, except that during about seven o'clock in the evening, and it rethe expedition of General Jones into West-Vir-lieved me from all apprehensions of an attack ginia, by order from your headquarters, I sent from the Strasburgh road. It is now known portions of them into that State. During my that no portion of Lee's army approached Winoccupancy of Winchester, I almost continually chester from that direction. kept out heavy cavalry scouts on the Front The reconnoissance of the Front Royal road Royal road as far as Front Royal, and on the was abortive. The expedition consisted of the Strasburgh road as far as Strasburgh. My cav- Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry, about four hunalry frequently drove the enemy's pickets as far dred strong, under command of Lieut.-Col. Moss. up the valley as Woodstock, and I held almost It returned to Winchester about three o'clock in undisputed possession of the valley as far as the afternoon of Friday. Its commanding offiStrasburgh until about the first of June. By cer reported, that at Cedarville, a place twelve means of these cavalry expeditions, and informa- miles from Winchester, he had encountered a tion furnished me by Union citizens, I kept con- large force of the enemy, composed of cavalry, tinually posted as to the rebel forces in the val- infantry, and artillery. It did not appear, howley under Jones and Imboden, and was at no ever, that he had placed himself in a position to time deceived as to their numbers or movements. ascertain the number or character of the force About the first of June the enemy became bold- which he had encountered, or exercised the usual er, and small detachments of his cavalry were and necessary efforts to obtain that essential inmet as far down the valley as Middletown. On formation. Officers of his command and reliable Friday, the twelfth day of June, for the purpose scouts, who were present, gave contradictory reof ascertaining whether there had been any ac- ports. cumulation of rebel forces in my front, I sent This report was discredited by myself and by out two strong reconnoitring parties, one on the Gen. Elliott my second in command. There was Strasburgh and the other on the Front Royal nothing in the report which indicated the preroad. The one on the Strasburgh road consisted sence of Gen. Lee's army. It was supposed that of the Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteer the force on the Front Royal road could not be infantry, Thirteenth Pennsylvania volunteer cav- other than the enemy which we had faced during alry, and one section of battery L, Fifth regi- the occupancy of Winchester, or that the anticiment artillery, under command of Col. Shawl, pated cavalry raid of Gen. Stuart was in progress, of the Eighty-seventh regiment Pennsylvania against either or both of which combined I could volunteer infantry. This reconnoissance was con- have held my position. I deemed it impossible ducted with energy, in pursuance of instructions, that Lee's army, with its immense artillery and and its results were in every way satisfactory. baggage trains, could have escaped from the army The expedition proceeded up the valley, the cav- of the Potomac and crossed the Blue Ridge alry in advance, but within supporting distance through Ashby's, Chester, and Thornton gaps of the infantry and artillery, until it had arrived in concentric columns. The movement must within two miles of Middletown, at which place have occupied five or six days, and notice of its a messenger from Major Kerwin, who was in being in progress could have been conveyed to command of the cavalry, announced to Colonel me from General Hooker's headquarters in five

minutes; for telegraphic communication still existed between Baltimore and Winchester.

short artillery skirmish, Col. Ely retired his command to near the junction of the Front Royal On Friday night I doubled my pickets and and Strasburgh roads, immediately south and kept out strong cavalry patrols on the leading adjoining Winchester. The enemy did not purroads, and I also sent a messenger to Colonel Mc- sue in force. Occasionally, during the day, Reynolds at Berryville notifying him that the small detachments of rebel cavalry approached enemy was reported to be in considerable force from that direction, but were driven off by our in the Front Royal road. I instructed him to infantry pickets, which were well protected and keep a strong party of observation in the direc-directed to remain at their posts and act as skirtion of Milwood; to place his command in readi-mishers. ness to move at a moment's warning; if attacked by a superior force, to fall back upon Winchester by the route which he might deem most practicable, and that if his command should be needed at Winchester he would be notified by four discharges from the large guns at the main fort at Winchester.

The force on the Strasburgh road consisted of the One Hundred and Tenth and One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio and Twelfth Virginia infantry, and Thirteenth Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry, and Carlin's battery, Brig.-Gen. Elliott commanding.

A little to the west and adjoining Winchester The whole forces under my command at this is a high ridge, which extends from the town time were: First brigade, Brigadier-General Elli- south for over a mile to Mill Creek, which is ott commanding: One Hundred and Tenth regi-known as Applepie Ridge. Around the southment 0. V. I., Col. Keifer; One Hundred and ern terminus of this ridge the creek and a millSixteenth regiment O. V. I., Colonel Washburn; race wind across the Strasburgh road, and from One Hundred and Twenty-second regiment thence in a northern direction across the Front O. V. I., Col. Ball; One Hundred and Twenty- Royal road, and north of that road to the Holthird regiment O. V. I., Col. Wilson; Thirteenth lingsworth mills, where the race terminates and regiment Pennsylvania cavalry, Col. Gallagher; the creek takes an abrupt eastern course. The Twelfth regiment Pennsylvania cavalry, Lieut.- whole length of the race is about two miles. The Col. Moss; battery L, Fifth regiment artillery, creek and race combined afford a strong protec First Lieut. Randolph. Second brigade, Colonel tion against cavalry, and for that reason, and the Ely, Eighteenth Connecticut, commanding: Eigh- | additional one that stone fences and other covers ty-seventh regiment Pa. V. I., Colonel Shawl; abound in its vicinity, they had been adopted as Twelfth regiment Va. V. I., Col. Klunk; Eight- a portion of my infantry picket-line. The force eenth regiment Conn. V. I., Lieut.-Col. Nichols; Fifth regiment Md. V. I., Capt. Holton; battery D, First Virginia artillery, Capt. Carlin; company K, First Virginia cavalry, Lieut. Dawson; companies D and E, Third Virginia cavalry, Capt. White.

The composition of the Third brigade, Colonel McReynolds commanding, is above given.

The heavy guns of the principal fort, consisting of four twenty-pound Parrotts and two twenty-four-pound howitzers, were served by a company of the Fourteenth Massachusetts heavy artillery, commanded by Captain Martin.

The command numbered, according to Friday morning's return, six thousand nine hundred

men.

On Saturday morning, at a few minutes before eight o'clock, my cavalry patrols on the Front Royal road reported that the enemy was approaching in force."

above designated, except two sections of Carlin's battery stationed on the southern extremity of the ridge above described, proceeded up the Strasburgh road to within a short distance of Kearnstown, where it remained, encountering no enemy, except occasional parties of skirmishers, until about two o'clock P.M., when Brig.-General Elliott, through Lieut. Alexander, of his staff, reported to me at the place where two sections of Carlin's battery were in position, that he could find no enemy in his front, but that there were indications that the enemy was massing his forces on our left, in the vicinity of the Front Royal road. I then directed Gen. Elliott to retire his force on the Strasburgh road back of the creek and race above described, so as to put it in a position to support Col. Ely on the Front Royal road, or the forces at the forts, as exigency might require. While this order was being exeDeeming it advisable that under the circum-cuted, and when Gen. Elliott's command had arstances the whole command should be united at Winchester, I gave Colonel McReynolds the concerted signal above stated. I immediately sent forward on the Front Royal and Strasburgh roads forces to observe and report the forces and movements of the enemy. That on the Front Royal road consisted of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania infantry, Eighteenth Connecticut infantry, Fifth Maryland infantry, and one section of battery L Fifth regiment artillery, Col. Ely commanding. A little over a mile from Winchester this force encountered a battery of the enemy located in a wood at the right of the Front Royal road. After a

rived at within six hundred yards of the creek and race, a considerable force of the enemy's infantry, in two lines of battle, displayed itself to our right, with the apparent intention to flank and cut off our retiring troops. I estimated the force of the enemy then in sight at two thousand. The two sections of Carlin's battery on the ridge as above stated commanded the posi tion of the enemy, and immediately opened on him with sufficient effect to throw him into confusion, when the One Hundred and Tenth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, Col. Keifer, and One Hundred and Twenty-third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, Col. Wilson, charged upon

him and drove him back in disorder, with considerable loss. Simultaneously the Twelfth Virginia infantry, Col. Klunk, engaged a large body of the enemy's skirmishers in a wood south of the ridge, and on the opposite side of the creek and race, and after holding them in check two hours, being outflanked and greatly outnumbered, retired. Our whole force which had been advanced on the Strasburgh road, retired behind the creek and race above described. That creek and race then constituted the line of our forces in front of the town, and was held by Col. Ely, with a portion of his brigade, on the Front Royal road, and by Gen. Elliott, with a portion of his brigade, on the Strasburgh road. The remainder of my forces were in the forts immediately north of the town.

ney road. He had frequent and sometimes severe skirmishes. The enemy did not, however, at any time appear before him in force.

o'clock on Sunday morning until four o'clock in the afternoon detachments from the Eighteenth Connecticut, Fifth Maryland, and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, under the direction of Colonel Ely, continually skirmished with the enemy in front of the forts and east of the town, between the Front Royal and Martinsburgh roads. During this skirmishing the rebels took possession of a large brick dwelling, surrounded by dense shrubbery, on the Berryville road, about half a mile from Winchester. Our skirmishers attacked and carried the house, killing one officer and five men, and capturing eleven prisoners. At one time during the day the rebels in considerable numbers appeared in the town, but were driven out by the Eighteenth Connecticut and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Immediately after our forces had retired from volunteer infantry. On Sunday morning General the Strasburgh road to the Winchester side of the Elliott, with a portion of his brigade, Carlin's creek and race, the enemy advanced his skirmish-battery, and the Twelfth Virginia volunteer iners, and brisk skirmishing ensued until dark. fantry, took position on the ridge above describAbout five o'clock in the evening the enemy ad-ed, about a quarter of a mile south of the Romvanced and took possession of a picket post surrounded by a stone wall on the south, east, and west, and which commanded the Strasburgh road, from which they were dislodged by two companies of the Twelfth Virginia volunteer infantry. In this affair, which occurred about six o'clock in the evening, we captured a prisoner, from whom I learned that he belonged to Hay's Louisiana brigade, which was a part of Ewell's corps, the whole of which, and also that of Longstreet, was in our immediate vicinity. A deserter, who came in shortly afterward, confirmed his statement. This was the first intimation that I received that Lee's army had quietly retired before the lines of the army of the Potomac and performed a five or six days' march. Telegraphic communication with my headquarters continued until twelve o'clock M. on Saturday. The Blue Ridge screened the operations of Lee's army from me. I had always relied with implicit confidence upon receiving timely notice by telegraph of its advance in my direction. On Saturday, under the cover of night, I withdrew my forces on the Strasburgh and Front Royal roads, in front of Winchester, to the southern suburbs of the town, under orders to retire to the forts north of the town at two o'clock in the morning. Colonel McReynolds arrived with his command between nine and ten o'clock P.M., and was assigned to the star fort, immediately north of the main fortification. At this time it was evident that at least two corps of Lee's army, numbering not less than fifty thousand men, and abundantly supplied with artillery, were in my immediate vicinity, and that my retreat by the Martinsburgh and Berryville roads was cut off.

I still hoped that there had been some corresponding action of the army of the Potomac, and that if I could sustain myself for twenty-four hours I would be relieved.

Early on Sunday morning detachments of cavalry were sent out on the Berryville and Martinsburgh roads, but were driven back by the enemy's skirmishers and sharp-shooters. From seven

In consequence of the overwhelming masses of the enemy about me, I kept my forces during the day well in hand, and in immediate connection with the forts. As early as Saturday evening, after I learned the presence of Lee's army in force, I made up my mind to act entirely on the defensive, economize my forces, wait until the enemy had massed himself for the final attack, and then, unless relieved, force my way through what might appear to be the weakest portion of his lines.

My belief was superinduced by the manœu vres of the enemy on Saturday, and by the grounds that the real attack would come from the Romney road. Early on Sunday morning I ordered Captain Morgan, of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry, with a detachment of two companies of that regiment, to proceed out the Pughtown road as far as Pughtown, if practicable, thence across to the Romney road, and by that road back to the forts. I instructed him to carefully observe the disposition and forces of the enemy, if any, in that direction. That officer returned with his command to the forts about two o'clock P.M., and reported that he had made the round indicated without meeting or detecting any traces of an enemy in that direction. Immediately west of and parallel with the ridge on which the main fortification is constructed, and about two thousand yards distant therefrom, is another range, known as Flint Ridge, on which there was in process of construction a line of earthworks which commanded the Pughtown and Romney roads, and all the approaches from the west. These works were occupied on Sunday by the One Hundred and Tenth and part of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, and battery L, Fifth regiment artillery, under Colonel Keifer. The report of Captain Morgan relieved me from all apprehension of an immediate attack in that direction, and induced

me to turn my attention to the approaches in ble to hold the forts against the overwhelming other directions. I am still at a loss to know forces of the enemy, and that a further prolongahow Captain Morgan could have made the tour tion of the defence could only result in sacrificing which he reported without seeing or encounter- the lives of our soldiers without any practical ing the enemy, for within two hours after he benefit to the country; that we owed it to the made the report the enemy opened upon me from honor of the Federal arms to make an effort to the west with at least four full batteries, some of force our way through the lines of the beleaguerhis guns being of the longest range, under covering foe; that the artillery and wagons should be of which fire he precipitated a column at least | abandoned, and the division, brigade, and regiten thousand strong upon the outwork held by mental quartermasters instructed to bring away Colonel Keifer, which, after a stubborn resist- all public horses; and that the brigades, in the ance, he carried. This outwork was commanded order of their numbers, should march from the by the guns of the main and star forts, which forts at one o'clock in the morning, carrying with were immediately brought to bear upon the ene- them their arms and the usual supply of ammumy, driving him from the position and affording nition. The Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry a protection to Colonel Keifer's command, under was attached to the Third brigade. The forts which it retreated, with small loss, to the main were evacuated at the time designated, and imfort. The guns at the fort, and the Baltimore mediately thereafter the cannon spiked, and the battery, Captain Alexander, at the star fort, and ammunition which could not be carried by the Carlin's battery, immediately south of the main men thrown into the cisterns of the forts. The fort, engaged the enemy's guns, and an artillery column proceeded through a ravine, avoiding the contest ensued which was maintained with ener-town of Winchester, about one mile, until it gy on both sides until eight o'clock in the even- struck the Martinsburgh road. It then proceeded ing. During its progress I massed my troops in up the Martinsburgh road to where a road leads the main and star forts, and in the rifle-pits in from it to Summit Station, about four miles and front of them. To my regret, the enemy made a half from Winchester, when I received a mesno effort to take my position by assault. About sage from General Elliott that he was attacked by nine o'clock in the evening I convened a council the enemy's skirmishers. I had heard the firing of war, consisting of Brigadier-General Elliott, and was riding forward. The enemy was on elecommanding First brigade, Colonel Ely, com- vated ground, in a wood east of the road and a manding Second brigade, and Colonel McRey- field east of and adjoining the wood. This ocnolds, commanding Third brigade. curred between three and four o'clock in the morning. General Elliott immediately filed the One Hundred and Twenty-third, the One Hundred and Tenth, and One Hundred and Twentysecond Ohio regiments to the left, and formed them in line of battle west of and in front of the woods in which the enemy was posted. He then advanced the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, Col. Keifer, into the woods to feel of the enemy. This regiment soon became actively engaged, and was immediately supported with the One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio, which promptly took its position on the right of the One Hundred and Tenth. It soon became evident that the enemy was present in considerable force, with at least two batteries of artillery. It was evident, however, that a retreat could not be effected except under cover of a heavy contest with him. The One Hundred and Tenth and One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio maintained the contest for over an hour, occasionally falling back, but in the main driving the enemy. They captured one of the enemy's caissons, and silenced two of his guns by killing his gunners and artillery horses. Although immediately under the guns of the enemy, they preserved their lines, and kept up an incessant, heavy, and murderous fire of musketry, under the effect of which the enemy's right flank fell into disorder and recoiled. During this contest Colonel Keifer especially distinguished himself by the display of the qualities of a brave soldier and a judicious and skilful officer.

Before stating the result of this council, it is proper that I should state the circumstances by which we were surrounded. It was certain that Lee had eluded the army of the Potomac, and was at liberty to use his whole force against us without hindrance from any source. Our position at Winchester, although affording facilities for defence which would enable an inferior to maintain itself against a superior number for a limited time, could not be successfully defended by the limited means at my command against such an army as surrounded me. Six principal roads, known in the army as the Romney, Pughtown, Martinsburgh, Berryville, Front Royal, and Strasburgh roads, lead into the town. The names of these roads indicate their courses. They are all intersected and connected by cross-roads in close proximity to the town. Cavalry and artillery can approach the town and the forts from any direction. We had but one day's rations left, and our artillery ammunition was almost entirely expended. On Monday morning the enemy could have brought one hundred guns to bear on us, to which we could have made no reply. Precedents which have occurred during this rebellion and in other countries would have justified a capitulation; but I thought, and my comrades in council thought, that we owed our lives to the Government rather than make such a degrading concession to rebels in arms against its authority.

The propositions concluded upon in that coun- About the time the contest commenced on my cil were, that in consequence of the entire ex- left, by my orders, the Eighty-seventh Pennsyl haustion of artillery ammunition, it was impossi-vania volunteer infantry, Colonel Shawl, advanced