enandoah River, and
now held by our artillery, as were also Maryland Heights, across the
Potomac, while various lines of infantry lay concealed along the banks
of both rivers and intervening valleys, completely enveloping the
Federal position.

The morning was still and clear, giving us a full view of the lines of
the lofty mountains. Simultaneously the great circle of artillery
opened, all firing to a common center, while the clouds of smoke,
rolling up from the tops of the various mountains, and the thunder of
the guns reverberating among them, gave the idea of so many volcanoes.

The fire of the Federals in the unequal contest made no perceptible
impression, not even on the lines of infantry which had begun closing in
from all sides for the final charge. Before they (the infantry) were
within musket range, a horseman bearing a large piece of tent-cloth
swept along the crest of Bolivar Heights. The doubtful color of the flag
displayed prevented an immediate cessation of the Confederate fire. It
proved to be in token of surrender, but after its appearance I saw a
shot from our second piece strike so near a horseman riding at speed
along the heights as to envelop horse and rider in its smoke and dust.

The whole affair, devoid, as it was, of ordinary danger, was one of
thrilling interest. Our commanding position gave us a full view of the
extensive and varied terrain, a thing of rare occurrence to other than
general officers. In addition to this, the fact that we had defeated our
antagonists, usually in superior numbers, in battle after battle
throughout a long campaign, tended to confirm us in the opinion that we
could down them every time, and that the contest must, at no distant
day, end in our favor. The number of troops surrendered was 11,500, with
seventy-three pieces of artillery, sufficient to supply our batteries
for some time. It was comparatively a bloodless victory, though the
commanding officer, Colonel Miles, was killed at the last moment, and
the terms of surrender arranged by General White, who had fallen back to
this place from Martinsburg. I saw their artillery as it was driven out
and turned over to us, supplied with most excellent equipments, and
horses sleek and fat.

As some time would be consumed in handling the prisoners and the
transfer of arms and stores, I set out in the afternoon for Charlestown,
and, as usual, went to my friends--the Ransons. After a refreshing bath
I donned a clean whit