Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-06-25
Skirmish at New Creek--Caught tnem Ndp-


ping.
On Wednesday last at New Greek Depot, on
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, IL miles west
Of Cumberland, we played the same TRICK upon
the enemy that they played upon US at fnillippa
we came upon them when we were not expect
ed, took them completely by surprise, drove
them off in great hurry and captured TWO OF
their cannons. The enemy's force consisted OF
$50 troops and ours of two companies OF tAe
Third Tennessee Regiment and two companies
of the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment, under Ool.
Vaughan, of the Tennessee Volunteers. The
following particulars of this affair have oeen luf
nished by Mr.. D. G. Duncan:
Colonel A. P. Hill, commanding The Brigade,
whose headquarters are at Camp Davis, Rom
ney, ordered, on the night of the 18th, Col. j
lC. Vaughan, Of the Third Tennessee Reg.t, to
proceed to the line of the enemy at New Greek
Depot, eighteen miles West of Cumberland, on
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, with two COM
, panies of the 18th Regiment of Virginia Volun-
teers, commanded by Captains Crittenden and
White, and two companies of the 3rd Tennessee
/. Regiment, commanded by Captains billiard and
! Mathis, to disperse the Federal forces there
| collected.
The march of 38 miles was made between
] P. NJ, and II M. next day. The enemy was
found posted in some strength, with two pieces
of artillery, but had no picketS out. At O'Clock
a. NJ, on the morning of the 18th, after recon
noitering, the order to charge was given by Col.
Vaughan, and was CALAMITY executed in CO.
order, but with great enthusiasm. As our forces
: appeared in sight, at distance of 400 yards
J the enemy broke and fed in all directions, firing
f few random shots they ran, one of which
entered the arm of Private Smith, of Capt. Dill
> lard's company, which was in advance, wound
g ing him slightly.
: The enemy did not wait to fire their artillery
! which Col. Vaughan's command captured. find
ing them still loaded, but spiked.
!, Col. Vaughan states, in his official report, tha
Il his men were all eagerneSs to engage the enem,
;, when the order to charge was given, and rushed
forward with the utmost enthusiasm, wading th
! river to their waists. The enemy's loss was no
known, but several were seen to fall. No pris
{ oners were taken, owing to the start the enem,
= had, and Col. V. having left in the rear al
o the horses belonging to his command.
q The position occupied by the Federal troop
was on the North bank of the Potomac, at tn
; 2lst bridge on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
IS Col Vaughan burned the bridge before re
v turning to Romney, taking with him the tw
:. guns and stand Of colors. IL 4
. Since the above was in type, we have receive
the following official report of the affair at Me-
n Greek Depot:
Il BRIGADE HEAD QUARTERS,
AAA L. y
" COLONEL: have the honor to report that O
70 yesterday directed Col j. G. Vaughan, of tn
Sd Tennessee Regiment, to take two companie
, from his own and two from the 18th Virgn
- Regiment, and at 8 O'Clock, P. NJ, to proceed
III New Greek Depot, Is miles West of Cumbe
land on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, di
perse the forces there collected, bring away tt
two pieces of artillery, and burn the Railroa
bridge.
Theseidirections am happy to assure you,wel
he carried out to the letter and the march of &
- miles accomplished between 8 P. M, and 12 th
~ next day. Some $50 of the Federal troops, a
rs. ter slight stand retired in disorder, with o
tie of few men. The bridge was then burned an
a. Colonel Vaughan retired bringing with him tW
pieces of artillery and stand of colors.
le To Col. Vaughan, his officers and his men,
it am much indebted for the handsome manner
10 which my orders were carried out.
Enclosed you will find the report of Colon
~ Vaughan.
ie l am, sir, very respectfully,
ID Your obedient servant,
:. (Signed) A. P. HILL,
"a Col. Sd Regiment, Commanding BrIgad
I'd COL E. K. SMITH, A. A. General.