Evacuation of the Lower Valley.
From
Mr. Henry D. Beatt, lately of the
Winchester Republican office, we have obtained the following account of the evacuation of
Winchester, by
Gen. Jackson, and its occupation by the enemy:
‘
For several days previous to Tuesday, the 11th, the enemy had been concentrating large forces at Banker's Hill,
Smithfield, and
Berryville, and everything indicated as advance movement on the part of
Gen. Bunks.
On Sunday a skirmish came off near
Smithfield, between fifteen of
Ashby's cavalry and a strong body of the enemy's troops in which the latter lost one man killed and one prisoner.
The gallant ‘"Black Horse"’ Cavalry, after inflicting this damage on the enemy, retired in good order.
On Monday, the
Yankee pickets were thrown nearer the
Confederate cutposts, and as a consequence several of them were affowed the honor of a personal interview with
Gen. Jackson.
On Tuesday, at one o'clock, the enemy at smith and
Bunker's Hill formed a junction about six miles from
Winchester, and about two o'clock attacked the pickets of
Ashby's cavalry, about four miles from the town.
A sharp skirmish ensued, in which the enemy lost several killed and wounded on the Contederate side there was no loss, except one horse killed.
Detachments as skirmishers from Companies F and A, Twenty-first Virginia regiment, were sent our, but the enemy in strong force continning to push of, the skirmishers were compelled to fall back to the second Virginia regiment.
Whilst this skirmish was progressing,
Gen. Jackson's enfire command was summoned from their camp to the expected field of conflict, and never did men respond with more enthusiam to any summons.
Our informant describes the ane at this juncture as exciting is the highest degree.
The gallant and Indomitable ‘"Stonswall"’
Jackson superintended in person the selection of positions for the defferent batteries.
His whole force, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, amounting hall to about ,000 men, for four hours occupied their positions on the field; but the enemy, ,000 strong, declined to advance to the attack, and night closed with the two armies about two miles apart.
On the part of the
Confederates there was no sign of trepidation, although outnumbered nearly four to use.
But the longings of the gallant
Virginians in a conflict with the enemy were not to be pratical.
The close of day brought an imperative order from those high in authority for the evacuation of the place, and with regret the army refired in the direction of
Strasburg, bivouacking on Tuesday night about miles from
Winchester.
On Wednesday morning, about 3 o'clock, about 3,000 of the enemy marched into the town and took undisputed possession.
They with a cool reception from the loyal people of that beautiful section of the
State, and, to the honor of the town, we are pleased to learn, that only two Union flags were displayed, and they by those so bankrupt in character and morals as only to exetion pity for this last exhibition of their treasonable characters.
On the afternoon of Wednesday,
General Shields's column advanced towards
New-town, but were met and driven into
Winchester by
Col. Ash by's command.
On the same day,
Gen. Jackson marched to
Cedar creek, on the
Valley turnpike, sixteen miles from
Winchester and two from Stresburg, where he was encamped up to Thursday night.
Our informant expresses much admiration for the gallantry of
Col. Ashby.
That officer has been constantly in the advance of
Gen. Jackson's forces, and has displayed skill and courage highly to be commended.
Large militia reinforcements have been sent forward to
Gen. Jackson from the counties of the upper Valley, which, with the noble volunteers under his command, it is hoped, will be sufficient for the protection of the remainder of that, beautiful Valley from the polinting tread of Yankee mercenaries and cut-throats.
Not the least agresable information imparied to is by
Mr. Beall, is the effect into movements have had upon the spirit of the people.
Volunteering is going on with great spirit.--The call of the
Governor has aroused the most inkewarm, and entire companies of the militia have surolled themselves for the war in the velunteer service.
General Garnett's brigade, almost to a man, have re-enlisted for the war, whilst
Col. Burke's brighade have manifested the high spirit of patriotism which might have been expected from true men engaged in a cause so holy.
Before evacuating,
Gen. Jackson succeeded in resoving all his stores, baggage, &c., so that not a dollar's worth of public property into the hands of the enemy.
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