That night the enemy was reinforced, and about 9 o’clock next day there was a general advance.  The enemy had changed his direction, and now was approaching parallel to the turn-pike.  I was in command of the brigade skirmishers during the night, posted in a large old field on left of the turn-pike.  Just as a detail, commanded by an officer of the Twentieth, came to relieve me, the enemy was seen advancing through a forest beyond the old field.  The officer, not being familiar with the skirmish tactics, and never being on a skirmish line during action before, asked me to retain the command and also my line of skirmishers and conduct the retreat, which I did.  The brigade at that time was on the retreat, and this double skirmish line covered and protected the rear.  If there is any sport or amusement at all in battle, it is while on skirmish line, when the enemy is pressing you.  On a skirmish line, usually, the men are posted about ten paces apart and several hundred yards in front of the main line of battle, to receive or give the first shock of battle.  In our case the line was doubled, making it very strong, as strong, in fact, as some of the lines of General Lee’s at that time holding Petersburg.  When the enemy’s skirmishers struck the opening our line opened upon them, driving them helter-skelter back into the woods.  I ordered an advance, as the orders were to hold the enemy in check as long as possible to give our main line and wagon train time to get out of the way.  We kept up the fire as we advanced, until we came upon the enemy posted behind trees; then, in our turn, gave way into the opening.  Then the enemy advanced, so forward and backward the two lines advanced and receded, until by the support of the enemy’s line of battle we were driven across the turn-pike, where we assembled and followed in rear of the brigade.  There is nothing in this world that is more exciting, more nerve stirring to a soldier, than to participate in a battle line of skirmishers, when you have a fair field and open fight.  There it takes nerve and pluck, however, it is allowed each skirmisher to take whatever protection he can in the way of tree or stump.  Then on the advance you do not know when to expect an enemy to spring from behind a tree, stump, or bush, take aim and fire.  It resembles somewhat the order of Indian warfare, for on a skirmish line “all is fair in war.”

We returned without further molestation to the vicinity of Winchester, the enemy not feeling disposed to press us.  It was never understood whose fault it was that a general engagement did not take place, for Early had marched and began the attack, and pressed the enemy from his first line of works, then the next day the enemy showed a bold front and was making every demonstration as if to attack us.

General Kershaw having been promoted to Major General, General James Connor was sent to command the brigade.  He was formerly Colonel of the Twenty-second North Carolina Regiment, promoted to Brigadier, and commanded McGowan’s Brigade after the battle of Spottsylvania Court House.  After the return of General McGowan, he was assigned to the command of Laws’ Brigade, and about the 6th or 7th of September reached us and relieved Colonel Henagan, of the Eighth, who had so faithfully led the old First Brigade since the battle of the Wilderness.