May 25 — Early this morning found us on the march toward Winchester. We had not proceeded very far before we heard heavy cannonading, which I knew was on the hills around Winchester. As we drew nearer I heard the incessant shrieking of shell and the deadly ping of the thousand fragments of exploding shell that filled the air. When we neared the battlefield the artillery fire was heavy, and I saw the shell exploding all over the field at every instant and in quick succession.
For a little while the musketry was fearful and heavy, as General Banks had a strong position on the hill west of the town, and at first the men made a bold effort to hold it, but they did not long endure the withering musketry fire of Jackson’s infantry, and his artillery was raking the hills along the enemy’s line.
In the meantime Ewell’s men were closing in from the Front Royal road and would soon pour a withering fire into Banks’ exposed left. The moment was critical, but when Jackson’s men rushed up the hill at a charge bayonet, like a wall of glittering steel, it was too much for the enemy to confront, and the blue lines gave way and broke, and Banks with his army struck pell-mell for Maryland and safety.
Our battery was not engaged in the battle, as the Yanks did not hold still long enough for us to get a whack at them.
As we approached Winchester I saw heavy volumes of smoke rising from the eastern part of town, which I learned was from some buildings on Market Street that were used for commissary stores which the Yanks set on fire before they left. They also attempted to burn their ordnance supplies, but Jackson’s men had pressed them so vigorously that the flames did not reach their intended diabolical purpose, for when we passed through the street the fire department was out manfully fighting the flames, and succeeded in subduing them before they reached the danger point.
The Yanks retreated on the Martinsburg pike, and Jackson’s men were at their heels in hot pursuit. As we came down the Martinsburg road we met refugees of the colored persuasion—men, women, and children. Each had a little bundle. They had evidently started for the land of sweet freedom and glorious ease, but had cut loose from home a “leetle” too late to make a success of it. Jackson’s men overtook them and started the whole caravan back to Winchester, to see marse and mistus once more.
I saw a Yankee breast-plate to-day that was made of steel. It was no doubt worn in the battle this morning, and from all appearances its value, virtue, and sheltering merits were worthless, as it had a bullet hole right through the center.
Camped to-night at Bucklestown, fifteen miles from Winchester.
