Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-26
nfficial Henart af the Ro,nuex Affair
HEAD QUARTERS IlrH REGIMENT lSD. VoLUSTEERs,)
CAMP Mc(iINSIs, Maryland, Z
Cumberland. June Il 1861. }


HEAD QUARTERS IlTH REGIMENT lSD. VOLUSTEERs,)
CAMP McGcSSIs, Maryland,
Cumberland, June IA, 1851.
To TIE Editor ofHe Daily State sentinel:
The following is copy of the official dispatch
relating TO the Ronney affair. ID. NJ.
MAJOR GENERAL Patterson, Chambersburg, Nd:
DEAR SIR-Having been notified that several
h ndred rebel troops were quartered at Romney,
Hampshire county, Va, drilling there, impressing
Union men, and in other ways expressing loyal
citizens, determined to dispense them, if posi-
ble For that purpose, / left Cumberland at ten
o'clock on the night Of the 18th inst, with eight
companies, in all about five hundred men, and by
railway went to New Creek Station, twenty-one
miles distant A little after ii o'clock, started
my men across the mountains, twenty three miles
off, intending to reach the town by six o'clock in
the morning. The road was very fahguing and
rough, leading along high bluffs and by narrow
passes which required great caution in pass. ing,
so much so, indeed, that with the utmost indus
trv, did not get near Romney until about eight
o'clock.
In a pass a mile and q half this side of the
town, my advance guard was fired upon by
mounted picket Of the enemy, who dashed ahead
and alarmed the rebels In fact, afterwards
learned that they had notice of my coming full
an hour before my arrival.
In approaching the place, it was necessary for
me to cross a bridge over the south branch OF the
Potomac. reconnaissance satisfied me that the
passage of the bridge would be the chief Obsta-
Gle in my way, although could distinctly see the
enemy drawn up on the bluff, which is the town
site, supporting battery of two guns, planted so
as to sweep the road completely.
| directed my advance guard to cross the
bridge on the run, leap down an embankment ut
the further entrance and observe the windows of
a large brick house not farther off than seventy
FIVE Yards Their appearance was the signal tor
an assault. A warm fire opened from this house,
which the guard returned, with no other loss
than the wOundng of sergeant. This firing
continued several minutes / led a second com
pany through the bridge, and, by following up a
ravine, got them into position that soon drove
the enemy out of the house and into mountain
to its rear Ny attention was then turned to the
battery on the HILL Instead of following the road
as the rebels expected, pushed five companies,
in skirmishing order and at double quick time,
up hill to the right, intending to get round the
left flank of the enemy and cut off their retreat.
Har ly had my companies deployed, and started
forward, and got within rife shot, before the
rebels limbered up and put of over the bluff in
hot haste. Between their position and that OF
my men, was a deep precipitous gorge, the cross
ing of which occupied about ten minutes. When
the opposite ridge was gained, we discovered the
rebels Unfortunately blent with mass oil
women and children. flying as for life from the
town.
impossible They went of under whip and spur
After that quietly marched into the place and
took possession of the houses and legion OF
negroes, rho alone seemed unscdred by our pres
After searching the town for arms, equipage
&C., returned to Cumberland by the same road
reaching camp at ii o'clock at night. My re-
turn forced, owing to the fact that there was
not mile on the road that did not offer half a
afrta nf paF1.
ment by Il much smaller force.
The loss of the rebels we have not been able to
| accurately ascertain. A citizen OF Romney adj
mitted two killed. Ny own surgeon dressed the
wound Of one man.
A number of tents were taken, quite numueI
of rifles were destroyed, and, among others,
have Major Isaac Vandcver prisoner, gentle
man who from accounts has been very active in
exciting rebellion, organizing troops and impress
ing loyal citizens.
| have also an excellent assortment of surgical
stores, which, with the tents, have taken the lib
| ertv to convert. Ny regiment behaved admira
bly,, attacking coolly and in excellent order
Where all behaved so galanty can not single
out officers for praise. Sufficient to say they
conducted themselves like veterans, and in such
a manner as to entitle them to your confidence in
| any field.
| beg to call your attention to the length Of ouI
| march, eighty seven miles in all, forty-six Of
| which on foot over a continuous succession
| of mountains, made in twenty -four hours without
rest, and varied by brisk engagement; made
too, without leaving man behind. And what i:
more, my men are ready to repeat it tomorrow.
have already received your ap,"oval of my
enterprise, for which l am very much obliged
| One good result has come of doyal mer
in that region have takenhsir Very shortly,
| think, you will hear of another Union company
from that district. Moreoverit has brought home
to the insolent "chivalry" wholesome respect
for Northern powers.
Very truly, sir, your obedient servant,
LEW. WALLACE,
Colonel IL It'll regiment.
DAN MAcAuLEY, Adjutant