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.''
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