, 1861-06-27
Official Report OF the Affair at Rom,
nAv.

Official Report OF the Affair at ROM
neys
EEADQCAnTEns 11Tu Reg. ISDlAyA,l
CAMP MoGn1sIa, June II, 1861. {
The following is Col Wallsce's official re-
port Of the dispersion Of the rebels at Rom
ney, Va:
70 Afcjor General IaHerson, CAamosr.ou,y,
IsnnSytpania:
DEAR sm; Having been notified that sew
eral hundred troops were quartered at Rom.
ney, Hampshire county, Va, drilling ther :,
impreesing Union men, and In other wuys
depressing loyal citizens, determined to dis
perse them II possible For that purpose I
left Cumberland at 10 o'clock on the ETH in
stant, with eight companies, in al about 800
men, and BY railway went to New Greek Sta
ton, twenty-one miles distant 4 little after
4 O'Clock started my men ACROSS the noun
tains, tWenty-fhree miles off, intending to
reach the town BY 6 o'clock in the morning
The road was very fatfguing and rough, lead
ing along high bluffs and harrow passes, which
required great caution In passing 80 much,
indeed, that with the utmost industry did
not get rear Romney until about O'Clock
In pass, mile and 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, I af-
forwards learned that they had notice Of my
In approaching the place it YVES necessary
for me to cross abridge over the South Branch
OF the Potomac. 4 Reconnaissance satisfied
me that the passage Of the bridge would be
the chief obstacle in my way, although l dis.
tinctly saw the enemy drawn up on tie bluff,
OF t"o guns, planted so as to sweep the road
completely.
directed my advance guard to CROSS the
bridge on run, leap down the embankment
at the further edge, and observe the windows
Of large brick house not farther Oft than
seventy five yards. Their appearance was the
signal for an assault. 4 warm fire opened
trcm the house, which the guard returned,
with no other loss than the Woundiug OF q
Sergeant. The firing continued seyerat min
utes- l led second company across the
bridge, and by following upa raVine got them
into position that soon drove the enemy
1rcm the house, and into mountain at Its
rear.
ny attention Was then turned to the battery
on the hill. Instesd Of following the road, IS
the rebels expected, l pushed five companies
In sAirmishing order and ut double quick time
tp gp hill to Tie right, intending to get around
retreat. Hardly had my companions deployed
md started forward, and got within rifle range,
before the rebels lfmbered mp and got off over
the bluff In the hottest haste- Between their
position and that Of nv men was deep pre-
1Ptlous goIBe1 tAt tlosslnR u1 WHICH occupied
ten minutes. When the opposite side Waa
gained re discovered the rebels indiscrimi
nate]y blent with mas8 of women and chill
dren, flying IS for life from the town. Hev-
Ing no horse pursuit was out Of the cannon.
iers WAS out Of the question, as they went otI
under whip and spur. After that, quietly
marched into the place and took possession
Of the empty houses and legion Of negroes
who alone seemed unseared at our oresenee.
After searching the town for arms, camp
equipage, ETC, returned to Cumberland by
the same road, reaching the camp ut II O'Clock
fact That there was not O mile On the road that
did not Offer half q dozen positions for the
ruin OF rout Of any egfment BY a much small
er force.
The loss Of the rebels We have not been able
to accurately ascertain A citizen of Ronney
admitted two killed. NY OWN surgeon dress.
ed the wounds OF one man.
A number Of tents were taken; quite D
number OF guns we're destroyed, and among
others We have Major Isaac Vandeyer psis
oner; gentleman who, from accounts, has
been very active in exciting rebellion, org anil
zfrg troops, and impressipg loyal citizens. ]
have also an excellent assortment Of surSf-
cal stores, which, with the tents, have taken
the liberty to convert.
BY regiment behaved admirably, attacking
cooll{ and in excellent order. When all be.
haved gallsntly. cannot single out officers
for pEaise. Sufficient to say, they conducted
themselves like veterans, and in auch mau-
ner as to entitle them to your confidence in
my field.
1beg to call your attention to the length Of
our march, efghtJseven miles in all, forty.
SIX OF which was on foot over 4 continuous
succession Of mountains, nAde iu twenty four
hours, without rest, and varied by brisk en-
gagement, made, too, without leaving man
behind; and what ia more, my men are ready
to repeat 1t Tomorrow.