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Overlooked Civil War Battle Topic of Talk

Discussing Wheeling troops’ involvement in the Second Battle of Winchester, author Scott L. Mingus Sr. said the June 1863 battle was “horribly overlooked” for its importance to Civil War history.

Mingus spoke at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library Tuesday. He and Eric Wittenberg collaborated on a book, “The Second Battle of Winchester: The Confederate Victory That Opened the Door to Gettysburg.”

Union troops included Carlin’s Battery from Wheeling, 12th West Virginia Infantry, First West Virginia Light Artillery and First Cavalry. He said Carlin’s Battery, well-loaded with ammunition and with a fair amount of training, “was even better than the regular Army batteries.”

Mingus said this battle in Winchester, Va., set up what happened in Gettysburg, Pa.. a month later. He said Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee wanted Pennsylvania’s summer harvest to feed his army; he needed to take the war out of Virginia so Shenandoah Valley farmers could reap a harvest. Lee set aim on Gettysburg because he needed a major victory on Northern soil.

Winchester, defended by about 8,000 Union troops, was considered a good assignment. “This was like a picnic until the rebels came,” Mingus said.

A series of attacks and counter-attacks occurred during the battle. Union Maj. Gen. Robert H. Milroy climbed an 80-foot flagpole to survey the area, but a higher hill blocked him from seeing more rebel troops approaching. Hidden Confederate artillery fired from the west; a Union counter-attack failed and an artillery duel continued for five hours.

Milroy ordered Carlin’s Battery to spike their guns and dump their ammunition. The 12th West Virginia Infantry engaged in a field fight, while Milroy left the field in the midst of a major battle. In the end, Milroy lost almost 75 percent of his division, Mingus said.

West Virginia units lost many men in the battle and almost 300 West Virginians were taken as prisoners, he said. The battle was a horrible disaster for the Union, ranking in the top five for percentage of loss by U.S. troops on any battlefield, he added.

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