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CAPTURE OF WINCHESTER.

In the meantime, General Jenkins, commanding a brigade of cavalry,
was ordered forward toward Winchester, and at the same time General
Imboden was directed to make a demonstration toward Romney, for the
purpose of covering the movement of General Jenkins against Winchester,
and further to prevent the Federals at that place from being reinforced
by troops lying along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad.

General Milroy, the Federal commander at Winchester, had a force
of 7,000 men. He was either unaware of, or misinformed regarding the
force moving against him, and therefore held his position too long. On

the 13th, General Rodes drove in a force which was lying at Berryville,
and at 5 P. M. on the 14th, General Early was within cannon range of
Milroy's position, which it was his purpose to assault, he at once began
preparations for the attack. Twenty pieces of artillery were placed in
position and opened fire, and at the same time Hays' Louisiana brigade
charged the works, which in a few minutes yielded before the charging
columns, and Milroy was defeated and driven from Winchester, with a
loss, according to his own account, of 4,000 men, 29 guns, 277 wagons,
and 400 horses. Of the fugitives a part escaped to Harpers Ferry,
and the remainder into Pennsylvania. General Rodes, having driven the
Federals from Berryville, marched to Martinsburg, where he arrived
on the 14th, and captured 700 prisoners, 5 pieces of artillery, and a considerable
quantity of stores.