Turned out very
early this morning. Waiting for orders to march. While waiting for orders our
cavalry scouts are coming in, reporting the enemy coming down the valley in
force. Somewhat of a surprise, they having come through the mountain passes in
the night, making a forced march. While near the Colonel's quarters I saw a
scout coming, almost flying, down the pike. Jumped his horse over a stone fence
that surrounded our camp. Headed straight for the Colonel's tent. Without any
ceremony rushed in, informed the Colonel the enemy was almost upon us. I ran to
the Colonel's quarters and heard the report. With a shout the Colonel called
out “Fall in, fall in, double quick.” We soon formed in line, ready for orders.
Left our camp on double quick time to meet the enemy. They opened fire on us
and our camp with a battery well posted on a high hill about one mile from our
camp. We held them in check for a while when orders came for us to fall back
and take position in the line of battle that had been formed near the town. In
the meantime the enemy had taken possession of our camp with all its equipage
and our knapsacks that contained all our belongings, making a great loss to
every man. The sudden appearance of so large a force was a surprise. We were
under fire all day and were obliged to change our position at different points
to meet the enemy, who were trying to get into Winchester. It was plainly seen
that a large force of Confederates were surrounding the town and that we were
in a bad fix, as we could see the gray in all directions and knew that we were
more than outnumbered.
SOURCE: Charles H.
Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn.
Vol's, p. 18-9
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