alt="Civil War banner for HistoricHampshire.org"

Laurel Brigade Actions in Hampshire Co.

A History Of The Laurel Brigade


Excerpts from pages 21-29 Continued

 

About the I5th of July, 1861, the forward movement of the Federal Army under General Patterson, across the Potomac, caused the Seventh Regiment to be ordered to Winchester. At this point the scattered companies gathered from the Potomac frontier, on the igth of July. Already on the 18th fighting had begun at Manassas.

Joseph E. Johnston, who commanded the army at Winchester, secretly moved his troops by a forced march to Piedmont and thence by rail to Manassas, deceiving General Patterson, who still believed the Confederate Army to be in his front at Winchester, and by rendering timely aid to General Beauregard, gained for the Confederacy the battle of Bull Run—the first great battle of the war.

The border cavalry were ordered to co-operate in the movement, but the Seventh reached Bull Run the day after the battle. Thence after a short rest it was ordered to Staunton, and soon back again to resume its old position along the Potomac frontier.

Colonel McDonald, with a portion of the regiment, re-established his headquarters at Romney, while Ashby, with the remainder, held the right of the border line, with his headquarters at Charles Town.

The work of destroying the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad went on, with occasional skirmishing with scouting parties of the Federals.

Early in September, General Geary, commanding the Federals near Harper's Ferry, crossed the Potomac and seemed about to march further southward. Colonel Ashby, assisted by 400 militia and two new companies of cavalry under Captains R. W. Baylor and John Henderson, confronted the foe at Bolivar Heights near the Ferry. After a spirited skirmish, Ashby retired to the next commanding eminence, known as School-House Hill. During the night Geary recrossed the Potomac and the next day Ashby took possession of Harper's Ferry.

On the 24th of September a serious brush with the enemy occurred near Romney. A Federal force gathered from Cumberland and Piedmont, making a night march, attempted to surprise Colonel McDonald's camp. The attempt was anticipated, and before the Federals reached Romney they were met in Mechanic's Gap of the South Branch Mountain and driven back. With creditable persistency, another gap further down the mountain was passed, and the enemy having crossed the South Branch River, advanced upon Romney. Their road led them through a narrow pass called Hanging Rock, where the way has the river on one side and an almost perpendicular wall of rock on the other. From the summit of the cliff. Col. E. H. McDonald, with thirteen Hampshire militiamen, threw down rocks among the Federals and created a panic among them. After firing a few volleys, the column retreated in great confusion, the cavalry, in their eagerness to escape, riding over the infantry, and forcing many into the river.

The repulse, however, did not deter the Federals from making a third attempt. Moving further down, they successfully crossed the mountain barriers and threatened the rear of the Confederates. Colonel McDonald now evacuated Romney and the Federals took possession of the town.

Next morning, having learned that the enemy were pillaging the country around Romney, and were somewhat disorganized and scattered, Colonel McDonald advanced upon them.

The Federals, apprised of his coming, hastily withdrew to the South Branch bridge, which they attempted to hold. A gallant charge of Confederate horse drove them from this position and forced them into a disorderly retreat. Assisted by the Hampshire militia, under Colonels E. H. McDonald and A. Munroe, the cavalry continued the pursuit through the gap and, following close upon the heels of the fugitives, harassed them until they reached New Creek Station (now Keyser), a fortified position on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, having suffered considerable loss.

Hampshire County north section map

About a month later, on the 26th of October, another more formidable attempt was made to occupy the South Branch Valley. Romney was considered a place of considerable strategic importance, especially to the Federals. From it as a center, fifty miles of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad could be reached in a short day's march. Hence the small force of Confederates at Romney was regarded as a constant menace to the only direct railroad communication between Washington and the West. Its only support was at Winchester, forty miles off, while within an average distance of twenty miles along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were stationed considerable bodies of Federal troops. In a few hours it would have been quite easy to concentrate a force strong enough to march upon and occupy Romney. The failure of their first expedition was attributed by the Federals to lack of numbers sufficient to impress and overawe the population.

On the 24th of November, a heavy Federal force of all arms under General Kelly advanced upon Romney. Colonel McDonald was advised of its coming and of its superior strength. There was no hope of his being able to hold Romney; but he determined, in retiring, to make resistance wherever the advantages of position gave opportunity to punish and cripple the foe.

Six miles west of Romney the invading column was first confronted and opposed. Thence back through Mechanic's Gap to the South Branch bridge, the Confederates withdrew, disputing the Federal progress. On the Romney side of the bridge Colonel McDonald determined to make a stand, notwithstanding he had only a force of about 400 against more than 2,000 of the enemy. The place, however, was admirably suited for a small force to inflict a serious blow upon a large one. The high ground that, like a mountain barrier, shuts in the river valley is near to and commands the bridge and the road to Romney. About a half mile from the bridge, where the road turns and ascends through a slight defile, is Cemetery Hill, from a point on which a piece of artillery may sweep the road to the bridge.

On the high ground near the bridge a part of the command under Major Funsten was posted, with a howitzer. Colonel McDonald himself, with the reserve and a rifle gun, occupied Cemetery Hill.

At the approach of the Federals, their great superiority in numbers was plain to all. An artillery fire from both sides began, while a column of infantry attempted to force a passage cavalry saddlethrough the bridge. This was driven back by a well-directed fire from Funsten's men. In the meantime a squadron of Federal cavalry had succeeded in fording the river and appeared unexpectedly on the Confederate flank. The sight of them and the formidable display of infantry coming to their support, made it apparent that further defense was futile. Major Funsten's command at once abandoned the high ground and retreated. The Federal horse, encouraged by this, charged in pursuit. The retreat soon became a rout and then a stampede. The fugitives broke through the reserve and carried it along with them. Soon the wagon trains, two miles in the rear, were reached by the Federal horse and captured, as were also both guns.

The Federal victory, though a bloodless one, was complete. Romney was taken and possessed by the Federals, and until the end of the war remained virtually in their possession.

Jackson, in the following December, retook and held it for a short time, but his expedition thither proved how untenable it was.

The logic of war is inexorable. As the commanding officer receives the most praise when a victory is gained, so he chiefly bears the penalty of defeat. Even where others are to blame, there is no difference in the result. Disaster breeds a want of confidence, and this in turn portends more calamity. The situation was painfully clear to Colonel McDonald. The good of the service demanded a change, and the majority of the men were clamorous for the leadership of Ashby.

In an interview with Jackson, Colonel McDonald asked to be relieved from the command of the Seventh. The request was acceded to, and he was placed in charge of the artillery defenses at Winchester.

Return to Part 1