The Southern Defender

OUR ARMY IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

BATTLE FOR WINCHESTER

MILROY'S FORCES RETREAT

Gen. Ewell

FIGHTING NEAR MIDDLEBURG

JEB STUART THWARTS YANKEE CAVALRY

Gen. Stuart

Middleburg, VA- It is reported that Union cavalry under Gen. Pleasonton made several attempts to cross through the Bull Run Mountains at Aldie on the 17th, but General Stuart's vigilant forces stopped the Union cavalry. Though our forces were outnumbered almost two to one, Gen. Stuart was able to delay the Yankee cavalry until artillery could be placed to fire upon the Union troopers. It was thought that the enemy had withdrawn that night, but the next morning they made an appearance in force near Middleburg and drove in our pickets. Despite our attempts to block the Union force from the town, they succeeded in flanking the Virginia cavalrymen there who withdrew to Upperville about 4 miles west of Middleburg. Here Gen. Stuart made a final stand with his horse artillery and the Union troopers withdrew just before nightfall. Our losses were severe but pickets report that homes in Middleburg and Aldie are filled with wounded soldiers of both sides.

Mrs. Ophelia Knight who resides near Middleburg, relates: "The Yankee soldiers came into our yard and laid several wounded boys on our front porch. We bound their wounds with such bandages as we could find and gave them water from our well. A yankee doctor came by to tend to them but soon left when word arrived that our boys were pressing them and may be arriving any minute. This were a terrifying day for us."

The Union cavalry under General Pleasonton has experienced several brushes with General Stuart's forces ever since the battle two weeks ago at Brandy Station near Kelly's Ford. It was in that battle that the Union forces attempted to surprise General Stuart's cavalry and drive on Culpeper, but were thrown back across the Rappahannock River after a day of desperate fighting.

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WINCHESTER BATTLE WAS FIERCE

SOLDIERS SAY ENEMY PUT UP HEAVY FIGHT

Winchester- A correspondent at Winchester writes the Defender: "Some of our boys who were at the battle report that the Yankees put up a stubborn fight on Saturday. Though Milroy's army had hoped to steal out of Winchester after a heavy rain fell during the night, 'Jackson's boys' were ready for them and pursued them north of town. The Union troops either surrendered or were put to flight and like the valley campaign in 1862, our boys were in hot pursuit."

Despite the distance that our army had to march to reach the battlefield, the men fought bravely and there were many brave deeds performed during the battle, one of which was a bayonet charge by General John Gordon's Georgia brigade. Samuel Eaton of the 57th North Carolina wrote about his experience: "We started early for Winchester and marched in a very good gate until we arrived there. We had a very good road and passed Newton only 7 miles from Winchester. We arrived within 5 miles of Winchester about 1 o'clock (and) took our position in the line of battle. Our Brigade did not fight on this day, but the Georgia Brigade made a charge and lost several killed, wounded and some taken prisoners. It rained very hard in the fore part of the night."

"UNREASONABLE DEMANDS!"

GOVERNORS DEFIANT

from the Raleigh Register- North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance has denounced the attempts of President Jefferson Davis to acquire military stores in North Carolina, which have been set aside for use by state troops and use within the state borders. "With Federal troops on our coast, stationed on the Outer Banks, our situation warrants that we must retain these supplies for the defense of the state," wrote Governor Vance. He contends that supplies and equipment that have been shipped from North Carolina to Richmond for use by the Confederate War Department have not been issued to the troops despite the known condition of the army. "North Carolina will continue to support our great Confederacy," Vance said, "but not by wasting all of the resources of our state. We cannot carry all the weight of the war. Conscripts from this state have been sent to General Lee's army and North Carolinians are standing side by side with those from other states. We will do all that we can but not at the expense of our own self-destruction."

Governor Brown of Georgia is "defiant in his will" and agrees that President Davis has possibly exceeded his constitutional power by calling for all of his state's supply quota be turned over for general use by the war officials in Richmond especially in light of the military crisis at Vicksburg and in South Carolina.

DR. LIPPITT'S JOURNAL

A DOCTOR WITH THE 57th VA INFANTRY

Near Fredericksburg, VA- Surgeon Charles Lippitt of the 57th Virginia Infantry, Gen. Armistead's Brigade of General Pickett's Division, has kindly lent "The Defender" his personal journal that he has kept for many months. We offer the readers these passages that he recently wrote while the army has moved into the Shenandoah Valley.

June 9 - Started at 6 o'clock marching 20 miles camping about 4 o'clock, country uncultivated & water scarce.
June 10 - Started at 6 ½ marched about 20 miles camping about a mile beyond Sumerville ford where we came to Rapidan River. Passed today through a fine country to Orange Court House. No wheat, very little corn planted but plenty of very fine grass & well watered. Heard on the march of a fight that took place at Kelly's Ford. The Cavalry was attacked & defeated but our infantry coming up saved the fortune of the day. Weather very warm & roads dusty. Came in sight reminding me of my home in the good old Valley of Virginia. Camped on Cedar Mountain Pass made historic by a battle, fought last year by Stonewall Jackson.
June 15 - Broke camp at 1 o'clock & proceeded about 2 miles beyond Culpeper Court House on the Front Royal Road. Very hot; a number of men being over come by heat. Our wagon has gone by another road so we are without blankets & what is of more consequence, rations. Heard today on the march that Ewell has engaged Milroy at Winchester and defeated him. My friends Buck & Tom called on me in camp. They are in the 12th Virginia Cavalry.
June 16 - Ordered to march at 6; did not get off till 7, made about 17 miles & camped near Gaines Crossroads, VA. Crossed Hazel River today and the Rappahannock River, passing from Culpeper County into Rappahannock. The land is not so fertile as that around Culpeper but mountain scenery by far more grand & beautiful. The conditions of the road were most pleasing. The rumor of Ewell's fight seems to be confirmed. He said he took 6,000 prisoners _ all their supply train and Milroy escaped. It is a great pity he was not taken and hung. The morning was cloudy and cool but the roads very dusty & the middle of the day hot. We will not have the wagons up tonight so we must sleep without blankets again & no supper before bed. I slept soundly last night not withstanding the want of poor accommodations.
June 17 - Marched at 5 o'clock. An excessively hot day, a great many of the men fell out again from the march. Marched about 22 miles camping at a church near Piedmont. Gen. Mahone was there. Many rumors afloat; one that 800 dead yankees had been taken out of the streets of Winchester & 1800 prisoners taken, with many pieces of artillery. The rest of Milroy's army went in retreat but Ewell had thrown a force between them & the river.
June 18 - Marched at 5 AM. Passed Piedmont, reached Paris about 11 where we halted & went into camp. In the evening a fine rain with some hail, the former very much wanted. Sent for Medical wagons. 260 Yankee prisoners taken at Aldie in a cavalry fight yesterday passed near here. The last & most reliable rumor is that 5000 prisoners were taken at Winchester with many stores. Ewell is said to be in Maryland.

THE VICKSBURG SITUATION

Vicksburg, Mississippi- With the city surrounded by Grant's Union forces and Union Navy gunboats bombarding the city from the Mississippi River, communications from within Vicksburg have been limited to only a handful of messages per day. The city's populace has retreated to cellars and caves to avoid the heavy shelling that has shattered homes and commercial buildings on the edge of the city. General Pemberton is still holding out hope that Confederate troops near Jackson, Mississippi will march to his relief and break the siege. Union activity in Louisiana has kept Confederate troops there and prevented them from marching to Vicksburg. It is hoped that General Lee's move into Maryland and Pennsylvania will draw some of the Union forces away from around the city and end the terrible siege. Northern newspapers have been "jubilant" in describing the sad plight of the citizens.

LETTERS FROM THE ARMY

Lt. Henry Figures of the 48th Alabama Infantry in General Law's Brigade is with the army in the Shenandoah Valley and writes:

Lt. Henry S. Figures
48th Alabama

LEE'S ARMY IN SHENANDOAH VALLEY

The army has moved rapidly from Fredericksburg and the itinerary of the army has been released.