The army was in motion before daylight on Monday the 19th, and before night closed upon us, the famous battle of “Opequan” was fought and won. We took the road in the direction of Winchester, the 6th and 19th corps’ having the advance. Firing commenced as soon as we were fairly started, and increased in volume as we advanced, to that roar which indicates the heavy engagement. We reached the Perryville Pike where it crosses the Opequan Creek, about 10 o’clock A. M., where we were held in reserve until about 2 o’clock P. M., when we were ordered up. We crossed the creek, and made our way along a narrow, woody gorge up to the front.
The road was crowded with artillery, ammunition wagons, and ambulances, also with prisoners and wounded men moving to the rear, in fact, it was so choked up that it was with difficulty we picked our way through the debris.
We at length reached a ravine, in front of which was a narrow strip of woods, and along its southern edge a division of the 19th corps was posted, and seemingly, heavily engaged. We were rapidly massed in column by brigade, with ours in front, and immediately moved forward, relieving this portion of the 19th corps, and as soon as they were massed and ready, the bugle sounded the advance, and we moved forward on the double-quick. Now commenced one of the most exciting charges ever participated in by a large army; for over two miles we drove them, over stone fences, up hills and down ravines, until about 4 o’clock P. M., when, our cavalry getting on their flank, they, no longer making any stand, went flying down the valley with Averill’s and Merritt’s gallant riders in hot pursuit. The 123d was the first regiment over the fortifications and into the city of Winchester. We went into the fight with six officers and one hundred and eighty-two men, losing seven men killed and three officers—Capt. Shawhan, Lieutenants Snyder and Johnson—and forty-two men wounded, receiving special praise from Gen. Thoburn, for our gallant conduct.
In this truly great battle we captured nearly three thousand prisoners, five guns, and nine battle flags. Gen. Sheridan’s dispatch announcing the victory, was, “We have just sent them whirling through Winchester, and we are after them to-morrow. The army behaved splendidly.”
The next day we moved up the valley to Strasburg; where on the hills beyond, the Rebel army, in a naturally strong position, had fortified themselves, determined again to try the issue of battle.
We were maneuvered around some until the morning of the 22d, when the two divisions of our corps were moved back about three miles, where getting under cover, we changed our direction to the left, up the side of the mountain, and then silently stole towards the Rebel lines. We crept along the mountain until about 3 o’clock P. M., when getting squarely on their flank, our lines were formed for the charge, but while doing it we were discovered by the enemy, who immediately opened on us with shot and shell; but it was too late, the order was at once issued, “Double-quick, charge!” and we were upon them before they could make any preparations to receive us, capturing their artillery, and turning their left completely; we went sweeping down their breast-works, like the wind, every man yelling at the top of his voice; at the same time that we charged them on their left, the 6th and 19th corps’ attacked them in front.
Routed at every point they were soon in wild retreat, the ground being literally strewn with arms and accoutrements. The cavalry kept up the pursuit throughout the night, keeping the fleeing army on the jump for twenty-five miles.
The victory was complete—eleven hundred prisoners and sixteen pieces of artillery falling into our hands, and accomplished with but very little loss to us; our regiment losing seven wounded.
We bivouacked on our arms, where darkness overtook us, being completely tired out with the day’s work. Here occurred one of those accidents, which, from its sheer needlessness, caused a cold shudder to run over all. The 34th Massachusetts of our brigade, camped in our immediate vicinity, and while all was bustle and confusion, their Major, was shot by the accidental discharge of a musket, at the time, he was standing with a group of officers around a hastily constructed camp-fire.
It seemed hard, that after having gallantly and safely passed through so much hard fighting, thus to be stricken down, while quietly discussing the day’s battle.