To Jno Cravens From Noah G Ruhl June 28 1863

              Bloody Run  June 28th 1863 


 
Maj. Jno. O. Cravens 

                Ass’t Adj’t General 


 
                              I have the honor to report the 
following as the doings of the 87th P.V.I. in regard 
to the defense of Winchester, Va. 


     Saturday June 13th 1863,  9A.M.  The 87th by 
order of Col. Ely moved forward from camp 
 and took position behind a stone wall on 
the south side of the Front Royal Road and 
near a section of Battery “L” 5th U.S. Artillery which 
was engaged shelling the rebels in the woods. 
The reg’t was in position but a short time when the 
rebels opened a terrible fire with grape & canister 
upon us from a battery posted about 400 yards 
in our front.  By Order of Col. Ely the reg’t 
fell back to the town, and took a position to 
support Battery “L” U.S. Artillery which had 
taken position on an eminence on the south 
side of town between Front Royal & Strasburg 
roads.  We remained in position there till 6 
P.M. when the reg’t was ordered to the mill 
on the Strasburg road, where the reg’t encoun- 
tered a body of rebel infantry, who after 
some skirmishing fled in confusion, closely 
pursued by the 87th.  The reg’t continued a 
brisk skirmish with the rebels till the 
darkness of night hid the rebs from view. 
By order the reg’t marched back and took 
their position as a support to Battery “L”. 
At 2 A.M. June 14th. the reg’t by order 
marched to the fort and took position in 
the rifle pits.  At 9 A.M. the reg’t marched 
into Winchester and commenced a brisk skir- 
mish with the rebels in Market, Main and