Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/46

 *tance at a double quick, toward the point of attack. On reaching Winchester the regiment halted, came to a front, loaded their pieces, and remained until the artillery and trains had passed. We then moved on the road leading to Kernstown, some two or three miles, and again halted. After some vexatious delay the regiment again resumed the march and soon reached the scene of the action, which was about seven miles from Winchester. The enemy were under General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall). His right extending across the Pike leading to Strasburg, and his forces on his left masked behind a stone fence, while at the rear for a considerable distance the ground was a gradual ascent covered with stumps and wood which were well used as cover. The Twenty-ninth regiment and its brigade was moved to the extreme right of the line, and, formed in close column, by division, moved forward through the timber to the attack. At close range the rebels opened a heavy fire, but we continued to advance, halting at a small ravine where we deployed in line of battle, and in this position a sharp and determined engagement ensued. The distance between the opposing forces did not exceed sixteen rods. Late in the afternoon an order was given the Third brigade to charge the rebel line. Quick as thought the whole line sprang forward, and with cheers sounding above the roar of the conflict, in the teeth of a murderous fire, swept down over the stone wall and at the bayonet's point drove the enemy from their chosen position. To the rear they fled until reaching their artillery, where another stand was made and a rally attempted. The Union lead poured into their ranks with such deadly effect that they soon became panic-stricken, and in the greatest disorder retreated in whatever direction best offered an avenue of escape, and Stonewall Jackson, the