To Wm. F. Barry From J. W. Alexander June 23, 1863

              Washington D.C. June 23, 1863
 
            General Wm. F. Barry
 
                                  Inspector of Artillery

 
                     Sir
 
                            At your desire I have the honor 
to report the following facts connected with the loss 
of my battery.

 
               On Saturday 13th June Col. A. F. McRey- 
nolds Comdg 3rd Brigade 2nd Division 8th A.C. 
ordered me to march to Winchester from Berryville 
Va with the rest of his command.  One section of 
the Battery with two squadrons of the 1st New 
York Cavalry formed the rear guard.  I remained 
in person with them two hours after the main body 
had retired on the road to Harpers Ferry and thence 
to the left by Summit point to Winchester. 
We shelled the enemy whenever they appeared and 
they thought we were in force and began to 
envelope us gradually on both flanks.  We moved 
off quietly just in time and followed the main 
body.  Their advance caught us at the Osseguon 
Creek. (8) eight miles from Winchester but with the 
help of a portion of the 6th Ind Regt. and the 1st 
New York cavalry we repulsed them so that we 
saw no more of them.

 
        We reached Winchester at 11 P.M.  We were 
placed in the Star Fort a small octangular earth- 
work about two hundred feet in diameter and 
flattened towards the east and west standing 
northward of the main fort.  Early next morning 
one section was ordered to the northern extremity 
of the elevated ground upon which the fort was 
built about 12 A.M. a second section was ordered 
to report to Gen’l Elliot commanding 1st Brigade 
for duty.