Second Winchester "Bringing fire and tempests on the world"

Second Winchester "Bringing fire and tempests on the world". The Second Battle of Winchester (June 13-15, 1863). In June 1863, at the midpoint of the Civil War, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee launched his second invasion of the north, sending his Second Corps under Gen. Richard Ewell to clear the way in the Shenandoah Valley. Ewell crossed into the Valley on June 12 and converged on Union Gen. Robert Milroy's garrisons in Winchester and Berryville., Milroy ignored directives to abandon Winchester, overconfident in the strength of his fortifications. After initial fighting south of Winchester on June 13, Milroy concentrated his forces in the triangle defined by Fort Milroy, West Fort, and Star Fort., At dawn on June 14, Ewell sent most of Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early's division on a flanking march to the west, out of sight of the Union forces, while other southern troops kept active to distract the northerners. At 6pm, Early unleashed a devastating artillery barrage on West Fort that stunned the defenders. Under cover of the artillery fire, Confederate Gen. Harry T. Hays's Louisiana brigade swept into the works. After a brief hand-to-hand struggle, the Union defenders retreated to Fort Milroy and Star Fort., After dark, Milroy abandoned his remaining entrenchments in an attempt to "cut [his] way through" to Harper's Ferry., Ewell had anticipated that move, however, and Confederate Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson's division marched during the night to cut off Milroy's escape route north of Winchester., When they encountered the blocking Confederates near dawn, the Federals attempted to break out, but their desperate attacks were repulsed. Milroy's force was effectively destroyed., With the Valley clear, Lee's army now had an unimpeded path north to Pennsylvania , a path that would ultimately lead to Gettysburg., "[It was] as if hell itself had burst its bolt and bars and was bringing fire and tempests on the world." , a Union soldier in West Fort describing the Confederate artillery fire, (captions) , (map) Second Battle of Winchester (June 13-15, 1863) , Confederate Gen. Richard S. Ewell , Union Gen. Robert H. Milroy , Union Lt. James R. Durham of the 12th West Virginia was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Second Winchester. Original image from Deeds of Valor: How America's Civil War Heroes Won the Medal of Honor, edited by W.F. Beyer and O.F. Keydel; art colorized by Ivor Janci of Marek/Janci Design of Wheaton, Illinois.