e then moving on a line parallel with
the pike, eastward of it. When the head of the column had proceeded
about four miles, and as it approached Stephenson's Depot (located
a short distance east of the Martinsburg pike), firing in a desultory
way commenced on my right and soon extended along a line obliquely
towards one front. The column was moved by the flank to the left,
at right angles with the road, my regiment being followed by the
122d Ohio Regiment. A line of battle was formed with these regiments
in the darkness, and skirmishers thrown forward. The line advanced
northward, feeling for the enemy, but it was soon halted, and the
troops were again moved by the flank. My regiment, being on the
left, again took the advance, keeping about one hundred yards
westward of the pike. I had been informed that the whole army was
to follow and share our fate. When about five miles from Winchester,
and when the head of the column was about west of the Depot named,
some straggling shots notified us that the enemy were on the pike
near us. I halted and faced the men in line of battle towards the
pike, and, though still dark, a personal investigation revealed
the fact that the Confederates were in confusion, and the commands
they were giving indicated also that they were greatly excited.
I found Elliott some distance in the rear, and obtained his consent
to charge them. Colonel Wm. H. Ball, with the 122d Ohio, was
requested to support me on the right. My command charged rapidly
across the road without firing. It fortunately struck the enemy's
flank. We took a few prisoners and drove the enemy's right through
the woods for about two hundred yards and upon his approaching
artillery. Our line then halted and opened fire into the enemy's
ranks, causing great confusion and killing and wounding large
numbers. A battery now opened upon us, but this we soon silenced
by killing or driving away its gunners. The enemy retreated for
protection to a railroad cut,(13) and the woods were cleared in
my front, but my right was unprotected, and at this juncture a
considerable force of infantry and two pieces of artillery threatened
that flank. I withdrew a short distance, changed direction to the
right, and again advanced. Colonel Ball came up gallantly with
his regiment on my right, and in twenty minutes our front was
cleared, the enemy's guns silenced, the gunners shot down or driven
away, and the artillery horses killed. We wer