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On the 9th,
Imboden reported that a large force had been concentrated at
Harper's Ferry, consisting of the 6th, 19th, and
Crook's corps, under a new commander, and that it was moving to our right.
The new commander proved to be
Major General Sheridan, from
Grant's army.
On the 10th, we moved from
Bunker Hill to the east of
Winchester, to cover the roads from
Charlestown and
Berryville to that place; and
Ramseur's division was moved to
Winchester, to cover that place against a force reported to be advancing from the west; but, this report proving untrue, it was subsequently moved to the junction of the
Millwood and Front Royal roads.
On the morning of the 11th, it was discovered that the enemy was moving to our right on the east of the
Opequon, and my troops, which had been formed in line of battle covering
Winchester, were moved to the right, towards
Newtown, keeping between the enemy and the
Valley Pike.
Ramseur had a brisk skirmish with a body of the enemy's cavalry on the
Millwood road, and drove it back.
Imboden's and
Vaughan's brigades had a severe fight with another body of cavalry at the double toll-gate, at the intersection of the
Front Royal road with the road from
White Post to
Newtown; and it was discovered that there had been a considerable accession to that arm from
Grant's army.
Just before night,
Gordon had very heavy skirmishing near
Newtown, with a large force of cavalry, which advanced on the road from the double toll-gate, and drove it off. We encamped near
Newtown; and on the morning of the 12th, moved to
Hupp's Hill, between
Strasburg and
Cedar Creek.
Finding that the enemy was advancing in much heavier force than I had yet encountered, I determined to take position at
Fisher's Hill, above
Strasburg,
