Oxford Times, October 12, 1864
Harrisonburg, Va. Sept. 27th, 1864
Mr. Editor: It gives me pleasure, after a week of unrest, to find a quiet hour to pass with my friends, in which to tell them the story of our work. The excitement began Sunday the 18th inst.; the whole command being ordered to move at 1 o'clock, p.m. This order was, however, suspended for the present and the camp was ordered pitched. None however confidently expected to be allowed to sleep the night through, for the Lieutenant General had just paid Sheridan a flying visit. That, to the soldiers seemed ominous. Consequently none were disappointed when the order came to move at 2 o'clock, a.m., on the 19th. The cavalry led the advance closely followed by the Sixth corps, next 19th, the 8th bringing up the rear. At daylight the column had advanced perhaps five miles on the Berryville Pike towards Winchester, and the cavalry was already engaged with the enemy, strongly posted on the west side of the Opequan, where they had entrenched themselves with a determination to dispute the crossing. But after a short but spirited skirmish, the cavalry charged, drove them from their intrenched line and dismounting pursued them closely for ten miles through a densely wooded ravine, where a smaller force could have made a stronger stand. the Sixth corps pushed rapidly forward closely followed by the 19th and 8th. Beyond this wooded field, and distant about three miles from Winchester, was a large cleared farm extending for three quarters of a mile on either side of the Pike and about half a mile in width. Here the 6th and 19th corps were deployed in three lines of battle. The 6th to the left, and the 19th to the right of the road during which the enemy was annoying us with artillery. Our batteries replying briskly.
The question was even then raised shall we have a battle, or is this, simply one of those movements called "A recognizance in Force!" Bur we had not long to wait for about 11 o'clock the "forward" was sounded, we were the attacking party. The 19th corps was formed with the 1st Division on the right, in columns by Brigades. The 2d Division had four, and 1st only two Brigades present, for that reason, I suppose, our Brigade of the 2d Division was deployed in front of the 1st Division. The Brigades of the 1st Division were not deployed in line, but were in column by Regiment, the 114th holding the right of the 1st, to be deployed either to the right or left of the 114th, as further developments should demand. In this manner we moved. Immediately in our whole front was a dense wood, I should think a thousand yards deep perhaps two thousand. Midway through the wood was a clearing running obliquely through the wood two hundred yards in width. In the rear of this opening in the woods the enemy had massed his forces intending to turn our right. No sooner had we begun to advance than the enemy opened his artillery upon us, and the woods were indeed hideous with the screeching and bursting shell and the distant musketry. The first line was hotly engaged. The second line, which in our division consisted of the 1st Brigade in columns by Regiment, pushed rapidly on and had early reached the opening in the wood before the Regts. deployed into line. During the deployment, the 114th marched straight to the front. As the Regt. reached the opening, the line in our front, the 1st line, was repulsed and driven back in confusion. Many ran thro' our line, some attached themselves to our ranks, but all was confusion and defeat.---As our Regt. became uncovered we found ourselves confronted by at least four Regiments, and were badly unsupported either either on our right or left flanks apparently, although the brigade was forming on our right from fifty to one hundred yards in the rear.--On they came from out the opposite wood, banners flying, and opened on us with a murderous fire. But our brave men [shrunk] not before that storm of leaden hail, although their comrades fell thick and fast around them. At this point my horse was shot from under me, and [there were] two apertures through my pants at the knee. Col. PerLee [..?..]. [..?..] Lieutenants and at least one hundred and fifty men paid the penalty for their firmness. Twenty of them were killed. The colors had fallen twice to the ground. In short the Regt seemed about annialated. But the men had done their duty. The Maj. Gen commanding corps, said the position must be held at all hazards and it was held. The enemy was held in check. The Brigade had time to form its line. A Battery was brought to be support and the day was saved. I ordered the Regt. to face back to the rear of the Brigade which it did in good order bringing many of their wounded with them. Here we stopped.
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Here the Brigade remained firing steadily, holding the enemy in check until entirely out of ammunition, when it fell back, under cover of the wood, and then received a supply of ammunition. From that point they kept up a sharp fire until relieved by the 8th corp. They soon charged in conjunction with the other corps and cavalry and finally swept the enemy from the field, and as Sheridan had, sent them whirling through Winchester. I forgot to say however that after we had formed on the right we lost several men, among them Lieut. Breed. Throughout the entire day he behaved himself splendidly. I was slightly wounded here in the left fore arm, another piece tearing my right coat sleeve. Thus we fought for three long hours, exposed on every side to a hot fire of musketry and artillery. In short the 114th did its duty. We took no part in the action of the 22d except that our Regiment held the picket line on the left. But we joined in the pursuit and we enjoyed the victory. Early has been routed entirely from the valley. He could have spared 15,000 men, and 30 pieces of artillery from his command, and been stronger than he is today. We are now pleasantly encamped, getting up supplies and reinforcements, whether we push on remains to be seen. It will take a good army to whip us now.
Your, truly, O.H.C.
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