USA > Ohio > The official war record of the 122nd regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry from October 8, 1862, to June 26, 1865. Copied from volumes 25, 27, 29, 33, 36, 37, 40, 42, 43, and 46, series I, U.S. war records, and from volumes 3 and 5 of series III > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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75
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
and closely. The troops were in one line of battle, and without reserves. When the advance commenced the Division moved forward in splendid style and very rapidly. It soon encountered the enemy in great strength and well posted. The enemy opened a deadly fire with artillery and musketry upon the troops, but for a time they continued the advance, although suffering heavy losses. The order to avoid massing the troops in the advance was not complied with by the First Brigade, the troops of which -after coming under fire-dressed hastily, and in some confusion to left, and soon became massed behind and merged into troops of the Second Brigade. In addition to the confusion that neces- sarily ensued, the right was left unprotected. The greater portion of the Division, after returning the enemy's fire vigorously for a short time, temporarily gave way. To the failure to keep the troops properly dressed, and to the fact that the Third Division moved forward too rapidly, and in advance of the troops on its right, I mainly attribute the failure to succeed in this advance. The troops upon my left also temporarily gave way. The Division lost very heavily in this attack. Not to exceed five minutes elapsed before the troops had been halted, and were again charged forward. The enemy this time gave way and were forced baek several hundred yards, when he again took up a position behind a stone fence upon the face of a hill sloping toward my troops. The Division charged forward to a stone fence which was parallel to the enemy's position and about 250 yards distant therefrom. An open field lay between the opposing troops. A stone wall ex- tended at right angles from the right of my line to the left of the enemy's. A sharp and fierce musketry fire was kept up between the contending forces for about three quarters of an hour. Orders were received from Major General Wright, in person, to charge the enemy's position. Preparatory to giving the order for the Division to charge, I ordered Colonel Emerson to send a compe- tent staff officer, with volunteer soldiers along, and under cover of the stone wall upon the right of the line, with orders to throw themselves upon the enemy's left, and open an enfilading fire upon him. This order was immediately carried out and had the desired effect. Capt. II. W. Day, One Hundred and Sixth New York Volunteers, and Brigade Inspector of the First Brigade, was charged with the execution of the order. Ilis gallant con- duct on that occasion was highly meritorious, and for which he deserves promotion. Lieut. Col. M. M. Granger, One Hundred
76
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
and Twenty Second Ohio Volunteers, volunteered to assist in this strategic movement. As soon as troops could reach the flank of the enemy, the troops of the Division poured a destructive fire upon the enemy, and at once charged across the open ground, driving him in utter rout from his position. A considerable num- ber of prisoners were taken in this charge, also small arms and two battle flags. Leander McClurg, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, captured the battle flag of what he supposed to have been the Forty Fourth (rebel) Virginia Regiment, which he was forced to give up to a staff officer, not since recognized by him. Corporal Daniel P. Reigle*, Eighty Seventh Pennsylvania, cap- tured a battle flag from a color bearer of the enemy. The enemy retreated precipitately, throwing away guns, accrouterments, etc., in their flight. He was closely pursued by the infantry to and across Cedar Creek. His columns were completely routed, disor- ganized and demoralized. Troops of this Division were the first to plant colors upon the works along Cedar Creek, which had been abandoned by the Eighth and Nineteenth: Corps in the morning.
*Note by Col. Granger, Sept. 16, 1912:
"Page 148 of the second volume of General Keifer's "Slavery and Four Years of War," written by him about 1900, contains the following words :
"Colonel Moses M. Granger (122nd Ohio) voluntarily aided, and, in one sense, directed the movement of this small party."
(I, (M. M. G.), add, that the 122nd Ohio Volunteers were then holding the right of the stone fence on our side of the open field).
The Cavalry of the army was hurled upon the broken and flying troops of the enemy after he had crossed Cedar Creek. Night came on and the Infantry gave up the pursuit. The aban- doned and disabled guns and caissons of the Corps were retaken upon the ground upon which they had been left in the morning.
The Cavalry, in its pursuit of the enemy, captured many of the substantial fruits of the great victory, which had been so richly earned by the hard fighting of the Infantry soldiers. The loss in killed and wounded of the Cavalry, compared to that of the Infantry, was light, which of itself proves upon whom the burden of the battle rested and was borne.
At dark the troops, under orders, went into their respective camps, from which they had been called up in the morning.
77
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
Many officers and soldiers spent the night in ministering to their wounded and dying comrades. Instances were not a few where the misereant enemy had stripped the persons of our wounded of clothing, and left them without covering upon the ground. The bodies of the dead were generally robbed of all clothing and effects. It may be said, however, that many of the bodies of the enemy's dead had been robbed and stripped by their own troops. A rebel officer was killed, upon whose body was found elothing and other private effects of Captain E. M. Ruhl, Eighty Seventh Pennsylvania, who was mortally wounded in the morning.
Considering the unfortunate circumstances under which the battle commenced in the morning, and its long and sanguinary character, too much praise cannot be given to officers and soldiers, Colonel William II. Ball, commanding Second Brigade, showed superior judgment, coolness, skill and gallantry. Colonel William W. Henry, Tenth Vermont, Lieut. Cols. M. M. Granger, One IIun- dred and Twenty Second, and Otho HI. Binkley, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, James W. Snyder, Ninth New York Heavy Ar- tillery, and Majors William D. Ferguson, One Hundred and Eighty Fourth New York, Charles Burgess, Ninth New York Heavy Ar- tillery, Charles M. Cornyn, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, and Aaron Spangler, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, to- gether with many others, were particularly efficient in the dis- charge of their important duties.
It is impossible to mention names of the many who displayed acts of distinguished gallantry. The Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and a Battalion of the One Hundred and Eighty Fourth New York Volunteers, commanded respectively by Maj. (now Lieut. Col.) James W. Snyder, and Major W. D. Ferguson, for their noble behavior deserve to be specially mentioned. The for- mer Regiment had several hundred recruits and conscripts, who had just entered the service. The Battalion .of the One Hundred and Eighty Fourth New York had never before been engaged. Staff officers of Brigades were very efficient in the performance of their duties. Lieuts. John A. Gump, Acting Assistant Adjutant General; J. T. Rorer (now Captain) Brigade Inspector; R. W. Wiley, Acting Aid-de-Camp, Second Brigade; and Captains Charles II. Leonard, Assistant Adjutant General; II. W. Day, Brigade Inspector, First Brigade, are among the most conspicuous. Lieutenant Gump was mortally wounded and has since died.
Capts. Edgar M. Ruhl, Eighty Seventh Pennsylvania; L. D.
78
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
Thompson, Tenth Vermont, and Orson Howard, Ninth New York Ileavy Artillery ; also Lieuts. W. B. Ross, Fourteenth New Jersey ; Augustus Philips, One Hundred and Eighty Fourth New York; Orrin B. Carpenter, and John Oldswager, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and Thomas Kilburn, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, were killed while valiantly discharging their duties. Capt. Wesley Devenny, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, and others of the Division, have since died of their wounds.
Lieut. R. W. Wiley, Acting Aide-de-Camp, on Second Brigade staff, was the only officer captured in the Division; he, mistaking the location of troops, rode into the enemy's lines.
Of the good conduct of the Division Staff, I cannot speak in too high terms. Capt. Andrew J. Smith, Acting Assistant Adju- tant General, throughout the whole action, displayed great bravery, skill and judgment. Capt. Osgood V. Tracy, Division Inspector; Capt. George B. Damon, Judge-Advocate of Division, and Capt. Anson S. Wood, Chief of Pioneers, each carried orders faithfully and gallantly in the thickest of the battle. Each mem- ber of the Division Staff was especially efficient and active in pre- serving lines, keeping up and urging on the troops. Capt. George J. Oakes, Acting Ordnance Officer of the Division, deserves much credit for his energy and efficiency in supplying the troops with ammunition.
Robert Barr, Sixty Seventh Pennsylvania, Chief Surgeon of . Division ; W. A. Child, Tenth Vermont, and William M. Houston, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, Chief Surgeons of Brigades, with the other medical officers of the Division, deserve high commendation for their great skill and energy in taking care of and ministering to the many wounded. Forty-three officers and 632 enlisted men were killed and wounded in the Division. A summary of casualties by Brigades is hereto ap- pended. Copies of Brigade and Regimental reports are herewith transmitted.
I am, Major, with high esteem, your most obedient and humble servant, J. WARREN KEIFER,
Col. 110th Ohio Volunteers, Bvt. Brigadier, General Commanding. Maj. C. A. Whittier, Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Sixth Army Corps.
79
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
SERIES I, VOL. 43, PART 1, PAGE 132.
Casualties in the Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, under conmand of Col. J. Warren Keifer of the 110th Ohio, in the battle of Cedar Creek, West Virginia, on October 19th, 1864 :
First Brigade-Commanded by Col. William Emerson, One Hundred and Fifty First New York.
Captured or
Killed. Wounded. Missing. Ag.
0. Men. O.
Men. O. Men.
14th New Jersey
1
3
1
23
28
106th New York.
8
3
42
53
151st New York.
1
1
11
...
13
184th New York (Battalion)
1
2
42
.
. . .
45
87th Pennsylvania (Battal.) .
1
6
2
20
17 46
10th Vermont
1
15
7
58
4
85
Total First Brigade.
4
35
14 196
. .
21
270
Second Brigade-Commanded by Col. William HI. Ball,
One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio.
Captured or Wounded. Missing. Ag.
6th Maryland
8
4
38
.
1 51
9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ..
3
40
5 160
. .
208
110th Ohio
. .
5
2
27
1
35
122nd Ohio
1
3
4
31
6 45
126th Ohio
. .
4
1
14
1
5
25
67th Pennsylvania
. .
3
.
26
1 30
138th Pennsylvania
2
4
36
..
42
Total Second Brigade ..
4
65
20
332
2
13
436
Total Third Division. ..
8 100
34
528
2
34
706
SERIES I, VOL. 40, PART 1, PAGES 218 TO AND INCLUDING PAGE 240
Show the "Return of Casualties in the Union Forces"- Army of the Potomac-commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, June 15-30. 1864, (also the Army of the James).
1
,
1
1
..
. .
ยท
. .
Killed. 0. Men. O. Men. O.
Men.
.
80
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
Recapitulation.
Killed.
Wounded.
Captured or Missing. Ag.
0. Men.
O.
Men.
0.
Men.
Army of the
Potomac
95
1,577
425
7,630
157
3,773
13,657
Army of
the
James
16
325
100
1,780
11
680
2,912
111
1,902
525
9,410
168
4,453
16,569
Pages 227 and 228 show the "Return of Casualties" in the Third Division, Sixth Corps, commanded by Brig. Gen. Jas. B. Ricketts, June 15-30, 1864.
First Brigade, commanded by Col. William S. Truax, Fourteenth New Jersey.
Captured or Killed. Wounded. Missing. Ag. O. Men. O. Men. O. Men.
14th New Jersey
1
3
4
106th New York.
1
4
.
3
8
151st New York.
87th Pennsylvania
.
7
33
3 61 104
10th Vermont
8
6
2
16
Total First Brigade ... . .
17
. .
46
3
66
132
Second Brigade, commanded by Col. Benjamin F. Smith, One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio.
Captured or Killed. Wounded. Missing. O. Men. O. Men. O. Men.
Ag.
Sixth Maryland
9th New York Heavy Ar-
tillery, 1st & 3rd Bat'ries 110th Ohio
122nd Ohio
1
1
126th Ohio
1
.
1
2
67th Pennsylvania
138th Pennsylvania
. .
..
. .
Total Second Brigade.
2
15
. .
2 19
Total Third Division .. ...
19
. . .
61
3
68 151
.
3
5
7
...
7
4
.
. . .
4
. .
.
.
. .
.
2
81
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
SERIES I, VOL. 37, PART 1, PAGES 274 AND 275.
Extract from itinerary of Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps, commanded by Col. John F. Staunton, Sixty Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry :
July 9, 1864-The Brigade became generally engaged (at Monocacy Junction, Md.,) at 2 p. m. The conflict was fierce and bloody, but at 3 p. m., the enemy having turned our left flank by force of superior numbers, the Brigade received orders to re- treat, which was done in good order. Continuing the retreat we reached Frederick and Baltimore pike, and proceeded toward Baltimore. At Newmarket we were joined by the Sixth Mary- land, Sixty Seventh Pennsylvania, and part of the One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, which had been delayed by the slow- ness of the transports. We halted for the night near Ridge- ville.
July 10 to 13-We continued our march; halted one day at Ellicott's Mills; took cars for Baltimore; encamped near Camp Carroll; moved from thence to Druid Hill Park.
July 14-Took ears and went to Washington; encamped near the depot.
July 15-Left the city at 8 a. m .; marched through George- town and Tenallytown.
July 16 and 17-Continued the march, crossing the Potomac, passing through Leesburg,and joined the Corps at Catoctin Mountain.
July 18-Proceeded on and crossed the Blue Ridge at Snicker's Gap; encamped on the east bank of the Shenandoah.
July 20-Crossed the river and marched three miles on Win- chester road, and were ordered to retrace our steps; marched all night and recrossed the mountains.
July 20 to 23-Continued the march and finally encamped near Tenallytown, D. C.
July 27-Broke camp and took up line of march, passing through Rockville.
July 28-Continued the march to Jefferson, near the Balti- more and Ohio railroad.
July 29-Marched across the Potomac and encamped near ITalltown.
July 30-Recrossed the Potomac and marched all night.
July 31-Continued the march to Frederick City, where we eneamped.
82
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
SERIES I, VOL. 37, PART 2, PAGE 547.
Abstract from returns of the Union forces commanded by Maj. Gen. David Hunter, U. S. Army, for the month of July, 1864. Present for duty. Command. Officers. Men. Ag.
Department of-West Va.
Present.
General Headquarters
14
14
Signal Corps (Town)
15
152
170
First Infantry Division (Thornburgh) . . .
165
4,829
5,457
Second Infantry Division (Duval) .
160
3,556
4,191
Harper's Ferry and Defenses ( Weber) ...
230
6,475
7,404
West of Sleepy Creek (Kelley)
208
4.586
5,475
Kanawha Valley (Oley)
142
3,153
3,824
First Cavalry Division (Duffie)
119
2,814
3,325
Second Cavalry Division (Averell)
93
2,256
2,583
Artillery Brigade (Du Pont)
13
434
520
Frederick, Md. (Drysdale)
1
16
51
Wheeling, W. Va. (Oliver)
1
73
79
Total
1,161
28,344
34,093
Sixth Army Corps ( Wright) .
634
11,611
16,175
Detachment 19th Army Corps ( Emory ) ..
338
7,315
8,577
Grand Total
2,133
47,270
58,845
PAGES 550-551.
Sixth Army Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright.
First Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. David A. Russell.
Second Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. George W. Getty.
Third Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts.
First Brigade, 3rd Division, commanded by Col. William Emerson, 14th New Jersey.
Second Brigade, 3rd Division, commanded by Col. John F. Staunton, 67th Pennsylvania.
6th Maryland, commanded by Capt. John J. Bradshaw.
110th Ohio, commanded by Lieut. Col. Otho II. Binkley.
122nd Ohio, commanded by Col. William II. Hall.
126th Ohio, commanded by Lieut. Col. Aaron W. Ebright. 67th Pennsylvania, commanded by Lieut. John F. Young. 138th Pennsylvania, commanded by Col. Mathew R. McClen- nan.
9th New York Heavy Artillery, commanded by Major Charles Burgess.
Artillery.
5th United States, Battery M, Capt. James McKnight.
-
-
83
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
SERIES I, VOL. 37, PART 2, PAGE 211.
Skirmishing began about 9 a. m. on our front; took position in the line on the right of the 126th Ohio Volunteers. About 11 a. m. Colonel MeClennan, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanding Brigade, ordered me to send fifty men to strengthen the skirmish line. Company C and part of Company B were sent forward. About 3 p. m., we were ordered to move with the One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio, some distance to the left, to extend the line from the left of the One Hundred and Sixth New York to the pike, and near a seetion of Alexander's Battery. As soon as we reached this position, the line moved forward, and drove the enemy near one fourth of a mile. We were ordered to lie down, and remained under fire for about half an hour, when the enemy turned our right flank, press- ing up to within fifty yards of my detachment. We then fell baek slowly, and in order, and were among the last to leave the field. We moved toward the Baltimore pike, by order of General Wal- lace, and joined the Regiment under your command at Newmar- ket, about 9 p. m. that day.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES J. GIBSON,
Second Lieutenant Company A, Commanding Detach. Col. William H. Ball, 122nd Ohio Infantry.
SERIES I, VOL. 37, PART 1, PAGE 202.
Composition and losses of the Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, commanded by Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts, in the battle of the Monocacy, Maryland, July 9, 1864.
First Brigade, Col. William S. Truax, 14th New Jersey, commanding.
Killed. O. Men.
Wounded. Missing.
O. Men.
O. Men. Ag.
Staff
1
14th New Jersey
2
22
8 79
...
29
140
106th New York
2
14
3
70
. .
44
133
151st New York.
3
9
2
28
1
31
74
10th Vermont
. .
5
1
19
..
31
56
Total First Brigade ..
7 74
16
240
1 167
505
..
. .
32
101
24
1
44
87th Pennsylvania
-
1
84
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
-
Second Brigade, Col. Mathew R. MeClennan commanding.
Killed. Wounded. Missing. O. Men. O. Men. O. Men. Total
9th New York Heavy Ar- tillery, Col. Wm. H. Seward, Jr.
110th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Otho II. Binkley .. . . . .
1 3
5
77
2
50
138
122nd Ohio, Detachment, Lieut. Chas. J. Gibson
4
1
9
.
46
60
126th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Aaron W. Ebright ....
6
3
40
. . .
51
100
138th Pennsylvania, Maj. Lewis A. May
1
38
1
28
68
Total Second Brig ..
2
25
15
248
3
274
567
In the afternoon of July 6, 1864, the Division embarked on steamers at City Point, Va., (on the river James) under orders for Harper's Ferry. The 122nd Ohio filled its steamer, and had to place about 150 men and Lieut. Charles J. Gibson on another. During the voyage down the James the steamer containing the 122nd Ohio met with an accident to its boilers and engine, and was repaired at Fortress Monroe. It did not arrive at Baltimore until about 8 a. m., July 9, and when its train arrived at the Monocaey, the battle was over; it was placed as a rear guard on the ridge east of the fighting ground; and as General Lewis Wal- lace, who had commanded the small Union force that had held the rebel General Early and his army all day, retreated towards Baltimore, the 122nd Ohio marched as his rear guard.
The following commissioned officers of the 110th and 122nd Ohio Infantry, and of the 87th Pennsylvania, were killed or mor- tally wounded, in the battle on the Monacaey, July 9, 1864 :
Ohio.
Captain William A. Hathaway, 110th Ohio, killed. Lieut. George O. McMillen, 110th Ohio, died of wound. Lieut. Jefferson O. McMillen, 122nd Ohio, killed.
Pennsylvania.
Lieut. Anthony M. Martin, 87th Infantry.
Lieut. Charles F. Haack, 87th Infantry.
Lieut. Daniel D. Dietrick, 87th Infantry.
Lieut. John F. Spangler, 87th Infantry.
1
12
5
84
...
99
201
.
85
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
First Sergeant Andrew F. Linn, of Company K, 122nd Ohio Volunteers, on the 27th of June, 1864, received a commission as First Lieutenant, but had no opportunity to find a mustering officer and be mustered in. He continued to command Company K, and was killed during the battle on the Monocacy, July 9, 1864. He was highly commended for courage, bravery and skill by his commanding officers.
SERIES I, VOL. 43, PART 1, PAGE 108.
On September 19, 1864, at the battle of Winchester (or the Opequan), Va., among the forces commanded by Maj. Gen. Philip II. Sheridan, U. S. Army, was :
The Third Division, Sixth Corps, under command. of Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts; its Second Brigade was on that day com- manded by Col. J. Warren Keifer, of the 110th Ohio, and con- sisted of :
6th Maryland, Col. John W. Horn, until he was wounded ; Capt. Clifton K. Prentiss then took command.
9th New York Heavy Artillery, Major Charles Burgess.
110th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Otho II. Binkley.
122nd Ohio, Col. William H. Ball.
126th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Aaron W. Ebright, until he was killed; then Capt. George W. Hoge took command.
67th Pennsylvania, Lieut. John F. Young.
138th Pennsylvania, Col. Mathew R. McClean, until wounded; Major Lewis A. May then took command.
Pages 112 and 113 state the casualties of the 6th Corps in the battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864, thus :
Captured or
Killed. Wounded. Missing. Ag.
O. Men. O. Men. O. Men.
First Division Staff
1
2
3
Total First Brigade.
7
4
73
9
93
Total Second Brigade
3
25
11
146
185
Total Third Brigade.
1
35
14
193
..
243
Total First Division. . 5 67
31 412
9
524
SERIES I, VOL. 43, PART 1, PAGES 221-222.
Report of Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts, U. S. Army, com- manding Third Division, of operations, September 19-22.
1l
1 8 0 0 3 1 7 1
-
86
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
Headquarters Third Division, Sixth Army Corps,
Camp at Harrisonburg, Va., September 27, 1864.
Major: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to sub- mit a report of the operations of this Division in the late engage- ments at Opequan and Fisher's Hill.
At 2:30 a. m., September 19, 1864, this command broke camp near Clifton, Va., with orders to proceed across the country in the direction of the Opequan river; crossed the river about 7 a. m., on the Berryville and Winchester pike; from thence it was moved to within three miles of Winchester and formed under the crest of a hill to the right of the pike, on the right of the Second Division, First Brigade, Colonel Emerson on the left; Second Brigade, Colonel Keifer, on the right, which was the right of the Sixth Corps. This position was attained about 9 a. m. Skirmishers were thrown forward immediately for the purpose of driving the enemy's skirmishers back, that a Battery might be placed in our front. This being accomplished, the fighting was confined to the skirmish line and the artillery until 11:40 a. m. The Nineteenth Army Corps was formed about 11 a. m. upon the right of the Sixth Corps, connecting with the right of my Division. At the hour last mentioned, the whole line advanced. As soon as we commenced to advance we were exposed to a heavy artillery fire from the enemy. Major Vredenberg, commanding Four- teenth New Jersey Volunteers, who was charged with the diree- tion of the line, and while bravely urging his troops onward, was struck by a shell and instantly killed, his last words being : "Guide on me, boys; I will do the best I can." The Division moved quickly forward for about one mile, passing Mr. Dinkle's house on the right of the pike, and capturing ahnost all of the enemy in our immediate front.
The Nineteenth Corps did not move and keep connection with my right, and the turnpike on 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 toward the interval and threatened to take my right in flank. Colonel Keifer at once caused the One Hundred and Thirty Eighth and Sixty Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Regiment to break their connection with the right of the remainder of his Brigade and move toward the advancing columns of the enemy. Those three Regiments
-
87
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
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 of eight guns, sileneing them and compelling the enemy to abandon them. The three Regiments had arrived within less than 200 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 onee came upon my right flank in large force. Suc- cessful resistance was no longer possible; the order was given for our men to fall back on the second line, but the enemy advancing at the time in force threw us temporarily into confusion. The line was soon re-formed and the enemy again driven from the house above mentioned, and our line formed about 100 yards in advance, the men protecting themselves with rails, etc. Heavy firing on both sides was kept up. While holding this line the enemy charged. twice, but was repulsed with heavy loss both times. About 4 p. m. a general advance took place, the enemy gave way before the impetuosity of our troops, and were soon completely routed. This Division pressed forward with the advanced line, to and through the streets of Winchester, to the heights beyond. Night came on and the pursuit of the enemy was stopped. The troops of my Division encamped with the Corps on the Strasburg and Front Royal roads, south of Win- chester. This Division took in this engagement 149 prisoners. This Division lost in the battle of Opequan some valiant and superior officers. Among others, the Division mourns the loss of the gallant Major Dillingham, of the Tenth Vermont Volunteers. Major Vredenburgh, commanding the Fourteenth New Jersey Volunteers, was killed instantly early in the action. He was a brave and skillful officer. Col. J. W. Horn, Sixth Maryland Vol- unteers, than whom none excelled for distinguished bravery, was severely, if not mortally, wounded. Lieut. Col. E. W. Ebright, commanding 126th Ohio, was killed instantly early in the action. He was uniformly. brave and skillful. The enemy was pursued on the 20th to Fisher's Hill, about one mile and a half south of Strasburg, Va., on the Staunton pike, where he was found strong- ly fortified, in an apparently impregnable position. About 12 m. on the 21st, the Division, except the Ninth New York (Heavy
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