s official report, speaking on this point,
says: "Defeat to us would lay open to the enemy the states of
Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances before another army could
be interposed to check him," and aside from the military aspect of the
matter, the political campaign then agitating the loyal states made
the result of the struggle here of profound influence.

The campaign's activities began with the battle of the Opequan, or, as
it is perhaps more often designated, of Winchester. General Sheridan
took advantage of an opportunity for which he had been patiently
waiting by moving his forces to the attack at daylight on the morning
of September 19th, and before noon the engagement was fierce and
general, both assault and defence being made with equal spirit and
determination; that part of the Sixth Corps which comprised the Second
Connecticut, however, had taken small part in it, being held in
reserve.

It was about midday that in a counter charge against the Union center,
the enemy found a weak point at the junction of the Sixth Corps with
the Nineteenth, of which they quickly took advantage, breaking the
line and driving back the troops on the flanks of both corps in great
disorder. Their successful advance and the flight of the opposing
forces gave such assurances of victory that more than one Confederate
writer says that at this point the battle which had raged since
daylight was won. Jefferson Davis himself wrote, years after, of the
charge: "This affair occurred about 11 A.M., and a splendid victory
had been gained,"--a judgment which lacked finality. In fact, had the
separation of the wings of Sheridan's army been accomplished, as it
was threatened, the result would have been utter disaster; just now,
however, Upton's brigade, of which the Second Connecticut formed a
large part, was brought up to the point of danger. The charge was
checked, the enemy in turn driven back, and the Union line
re-established.

In the regimental history it is related that the brigade was pushed
forward gradually, "halted on a spot where the ground was depressed
enough to afford a little protection, and only a little,--for several
men were hit while lying there, as well as others, while getting
there. In three minutes the regiment again advanced, passed over a
knoll, lost several more men, and halted in another hollow spot,
similar to the first. The enemy's advance had now been pushed well
back, and here a stay was made of pe