M.A. Kleen

Yesterday, around Winchester, Virginia, the Confederate divisions of Maj. Gen. Jubal Early and Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson battered aside light resistance from Maj. Gen. Robert H. Milroy’s VIII Corps south of town. Milroy’s 8,324-man Federal garrison withdrew to more defensible positions. Three forts northwest of Winchester: West Fort, Fort Milroy, and Star Fort, would be stubborn obstacles to any Confederate advance. Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell ordered Early’s division to swing around to the west and assault West Fort head on. They reach their staging area around 4pm, where they rested from the exhausting march. After a brief but effective artillery bombardment, the Louisiana infantry surged forward and captured the fort. That night, Milroy determined to evacuate the town.