ced to move the main
part of his army to his right to cover the Berryville and Winchester
pike. Upon our side much delay occurred in getting up the artillery
and the Nineteenth Corps, during which time we were exposed to an
incessant fire from the enemy's guns. The Nineteenth did not make
a close connection on the right of the Sixth. Not until 11.40 A.M.
was the order given for a general attack. Ricketts' division was
to keep its left on the pike. As soon as the advance commenced
the Sixth Corps was exposed to a heavy artillery fire from the
enemy's batteries, but it went forward gallantly for about one
mile, driving or capturing all before it. General Ricketts, in
his report of September 27th, described what took place:

"The Nineteenth Corps did not move and keep connection with my
right, and the turnpike upon which the division was dressing bore
to the left, causing a wide interval between the Sixth and Nineteenth
Corps. As the lines advanced the interval became greater. The
enemy, discovering this fact, hurled a large body of men towards
the interval and threatened to take my right in flank. Colonel
Keifer at once caused the 138th and 67th Pennsylvania and 110th
Ohio to break their connection with the right of the remainder of
his brigade and move towards the advancing columns of the enemy.
These three regiments most gallantly met the overwhelming masses
of the enemy and held them in check. As soon as the Nineteenth
Corps engaged the enemy the force in my front commenced slowly
retiring. The three regiments named were pushed forward until they
came upon two batteries (eight guns), silencing them and compelling
the enemy to abandon them. The three regiments had arrived within
less than two hundred yards of the two batteries when the Nineteenth
Corps, after a most gallant resistance, gave way. These guns would
have been taken by our troops had our flanks been properly protected.
The enemy at once came upon my right flank in large force; successful
resistance was no longer possible; the order was given for our men
to fall back on our second line, but the enemy advancing at the
time in force threw us temporarily in confusion."

The repulse of the Nineteenth, and consequently of my three regiments,
left Breckinridge's corps full on our right flank, threatening
disaster to the army. Wright promptly put in Russell's division,
until then in reserve, and the progress of the enemy was arrested.
Here the brave