chosen and particularly
advantageous position, at the mouth of a narrow ravine near Winchester.

Concerning the earlier, or disastrous part of the engagement, it is
sufficient for our present purpose to say that Sheridan moved all except
one corps of his entire army down this gorge, deployed in the valley
beyond, fought a bloody fight, and was driven back in confusion along
his line of advance. At noon the enemy were rejoicing over the victory,
and their friends in Winchester were jubilant. The reserves of Sheridan
were sent for. General Crook, in person, brought the reserve corps into
action at one o'clock. He made for the enemy's left flank, and pushed
direct for a battery on their extreme left. The brigade of Colonel Hayes
was in front, supported by Colonel White's old brigade. The order was
to walk fast, keep silent until within one hundred yards of the guns,
and then with a yell charge at full speed. These brigades had passed
over a ridge and were just ready to begin the rush, when they came upon
a deep morass, forty yards wide, with high banks. The enemy's fire now
broke out with fury. Of course the line stopped. To stop was death, to
go on was probably the same; but the order was "Forward." Colonel Hayes
was the first to plunge in; but his horse, after frantic struggling,
mired down hopelessly in the middle of the boggy stream. He sprang off
and succeeded in reaching the enemy's side. The next man over was
Lieutenant Stearne, adjutant of the Thirty-sixth Ohio.

Shot and shell were falling in the water as they crossed, and were still
falling. When Hayes regained the opposite bank he motioned rapidly, with
his cap in hand, for his men to come over. Some held back, but many
plunged into the bog, and struggled across to their leader. Some sank to
their chins while holding their arms and ammunition over their heads.
Before fifty men had gotten over, Hayes shouted: "Men, right up the
bank," and there were the rebel batteries without any support. So the
artillerymen were bayoneted in the act of loading their guns. They never
dreamed that any Union force could cross the barrier before them. The
batteries were captured, the enemy's position successfully flanked, and
his whole force driven back five hundred yards to a second line of
defense. Here, strongly posted, he delivered a fearfully destructive
fire. The advancing line was brought to a standstill by the storm of
grape and balls. Officers in advance were falling faste