Saturday, July 6, 2013

June 15, 1863---The Second Battle of Winchester, Virginia: Day Three



JUNE 15, 1863: 

 The Second Battle of Winchester, Virginia (Day Three):          

As the artillery duel ran down, plans were made by the Union command to withdraw from the fortifications. The Union troops however ran afoul of the Confederate forces that had been detached in order to block their escape, and after several desperate engagements, the Union troops surrendered. 

The Shenandoah Valley was now cleared for Lee to march to Pennsylvania. 

The Confederates lost 100 men, (mostly killed) in the three day battle; the Union lost 4,500 (mostly surrendered, including some 2,000 patients in the Winchester Field Hospital). 

In the words of Confederate artillerist Maj. Robert Stiles: “This battle of Winchester ... was one of the most perfect pieces of work the Army of Northern Virginia ever did.''



No comments:

Post a Comment