Sam. V. Fulkerson to R. L. Dabney, May 28, 1862

Sr: In making my report of the part acted by the Third Brigade in the battle near Winchester, on the 25th instant, I have to say that on the morning of the 24th the brigade left its bivouac, 4 miles south of Front Royal, at daylight and marched to Middletown, and thence down the main Valley pike, in the direction of Winchester. Owing to delay, occasioned by the enemy’s skirmishers embarrassing the advance of the head of the column, daylight opened upon us near Kernstown, after which we quickly advanced to the mill south of Winchester, at which time a vigorous fire was going on between our own and the enemy’s batteries. I was ordered to file my brigade to the left of the pike and take position under shelter of a hill, for the purpose of supporting one of our batteries. I was also ordered to report to General Winder, who was already upon the ground.

I placed the Twenty-third and Thirty-seventh Virginia Volunteers in the position indicated, when General Winder ordered me to occupy a wooded hill to my left, in an adjoining field, with one regiment, which position he informed me the enemy were on the move to occupy. I at once ordered Colonel Warren, with the Tenth Virginia Volunteers, to take position on the hill, which he quickly did.

In a short time General Winder ordered me to place another regiment on the hill with the Tenth, when I ordered Major Williams to march the Thirty-seventh there, which he did with dispatch.

During all of the time of these movements, and in fact from the time when the brigade first entered the field, it was exposed to a severe fire from the enemy’s batteries and long-range small-arms.

After these movements had been executed-Colonel Taliaferro was ordered to move the Twenty-third forward and charge a battery of the enemy in his front. He pushed forward his regiment in gallant style; but in the mean time General Taylor’s Louisiana Brigade had come upon the field, formed, and moved in the direction of the enemy, coming up on the left of Colonel Taliaferro. The Thirty-seventh and Tenth followed immediately after General Taylor’s brigade.

On reaching the top of the ridge on which the enemy’s batteries had been placed a sharp musketry fire ensued, but soon a general charge was made by our whole line, when the enemy gave way and fled precipitately through Winchester in the wildest confusion. We followed

CHap. XXIV.) OPERATIONS IN Shenandoah VALLEY.

in immediate pursuit on the Martinsburg road for 4 miles, where we were halted.

A list of casualties is herewith furnished,* from which it will be seen that the loss of the brigade is comparatively light.

Colonels Taliaferro (commanding the Twenty-third) and Warren (commanding the Tenth) and Major Williams (commanding the Thirty-seventh) acted in the most gallant and efficient manner.

I refer to the reports of Colonels Taliaferro and Warren and Major Williams for the conduct of the officers and men of their respective regiments.

I with pride bear testimony to the gallant conduct of the whole brigade, both officers and men.

I am indebted to Capt. William B. Pendleton, acting assistant adjutant-general, for his gallant conduct and the prompt and cheerful manner with which he executed my orders.

Captain Wooding’s battery was not placed in position during the day.

Respectfully,