Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-25
laortester Daily SPY.
LANDER AT BLOOMING GAP,

CUMBERLAND, MD, Feb. Is, 1862
A small portion of Gen Lander's force be-
ing at Paw Paw Tunnels, a station on the Bal.
timore and Ohio Rail- Dad, half way between
Hancock and Cumberland, he Joined it from
New Creek with portion of the force there and
ordered the construction OF the Great Cacapon
Railroad bridge This was completed on the
evening of the 14th inst At four o'clock P.
M on the 18th inst Gen Lander started south
with small cavalry force. At eight o'clock
the same evening word came back for por-
ton of the command to move.
This was the first intelligence we had of a
march being intended, although the command
had been turned out twice a day, with blan-
kets slung, inspected, marched short dis
tances, and ordered to keep two days cooked
rations on hand 1t was soon covertly whis-
pered among officers that it was tue intention
of Gen. Lander to move on Blooming GAP.
strong pass in the mountains, reported to be
held by Gen. Carsons brigade, 1000 strong.
For this purpose he had called in ali his cav
airy force, numbering nearly 500 men, and
led by Col Anastanzel of the first Virginia
regiment. They had been arriving for two
days previous. 1t appeared afterward that
it had been intended to bridge the Cacapon
river the next day, but the enemy having dis
covered the small party of scouts led by Gen
Lander, he concluded to make the march that
night. Twenty wagons were placed in the
river, planks were hauled, and in four hours
bridge improyised at point about seven miles
south of the railroad
This bridge, 100 feet in length, was built be-
tween and l O'Clock at night. 1t was about
seven miles to Blooming Gap from where the
river was bridged. Gen. Lander's intention
was to charge through the Gap in the night,
as the position of the enemy could not be
turned, and then halt bis cavalry OH the east
side of the town, and check their retreat TO-
ward Winchester until the infantry provided
for support arrived. 1t was believed that
whatever the force of the rebels in the dark
ness and confusion the quarters of the officers
could be surrounded and the officers taken be.
fore their men could form. 1t was one of
those dashing exploits for which this officer
has been so justly celebrated. But the enemy
had retired beyond the town, and " hen led by
the General and his staff the cavalry flew
through the Gap and rallied beyond it, the
birds had flown. Col. Anastanzel was at once
ordered to push forward on the Winchester
road with the cavaly, reconnoiter, and, if pos
sible, overtake end capture the baggage of the
enemy.
Gen. Lander meantime brought up Col Car.
roll with the 9Th Ohio regiment and the 7th
Virginia, Col. Evans, for support Col. An.
astanzel encountered the enemy at the head
OF the pass, two miles from Blooming. He
was met by sharp fire, and halted his com.
mand, instead of pushing through it, to the
front. On hearing the firing, General Lander
came up and ordered Anastanzel forward,
The men faltered before the musketry of the
enemy, when Lander saying "Folow me-"
hating at the head of the column only long
enough to tell the men to remember their holy
mission and follow their general TO victory
His appeal was answered by one private nam
ed John Cannon, Virginia refugee. Gen. |
Lander charged, followed by Major Arm. |
strong, assistant adjutant general. Fitz James
y Brien, the well known poet Of his staff.
and Major Bannister, paymaster U. S. A who |
had volunteered for the expedition. a srn"P
of rebel officers. were distant about 300 yards,
their men. Gen. Lander, being
mounted on his celebrated horse, outran the
rest of the party, and cut off the retreat of the
rebel officers. Surrender, gentlemen" he
said and, coolly dismounting, extended his
hand to receive the sword of Col. Baldwin,
whom an instant before he had appeared 10
outside observers to be riding directly over
Lander, and fouI more, Immediately atterward,
to the officers OF his staff, among them the
assistant adiutant general of Gen. Carson.
By this time the rebel infantry, perceiVing
the small number of their adversaries, COM
menced heavy fire from the woods, hut the
cavalry had recovered from its panic, and now
poured up the bill. Gen. Lander once more
ordered Anastanze to charge up the road, and
capture the baggage of the enemy. The cav
airy dashed forward, the advance guard soon
overlook and turned out of the road fifteen
wagons and horses but the main force of tho
cavalry seemed parayzed, and would rot face
the fire. Two of the gallant privates in front
were shot by the enemy, who had again raj
lied, and there was another check. Col. Evans
now came up with his regiment of infantry,
and captured many more of the rebels. Gen.
Lander shot at one of his own cavalry men
who refused to go forward, saying, "The next
time I'll hit you, and if you don't clear the
road, this regiment shall depoy and fire upon
you" Col Carroll now came up. Go on"
said Gen. Lander to Carroll: eve need you
now--clean them out and take their baggage"
Col Carroll cleared the road as he went, both
infantry regiments behaving admirably, fol-
lowing and engaging the enemy to the last,
until ordered back. The pursuit was contn
ued eight miles.
The result of this affair was the capture of
Is commissioned officers and 40 non commits
stoned officers and privates Thirty of the
rebels were killed, with loss on our side of
seven killed and wounded. Col. Carroll drove
the enemy beyond the limits Of Gen. Lander's
department, and returned. Gen. Lander has
applied to the governor of Mary land for the
PROMOTION OF John Cannon to a lieutenancy.
He has also the names of several deserving
men OF the cavalry force. He attributes the
misconduct OF the cavalry 10 the absence of
several of their officers now i'll at Cumberland.
Captain Carman is reported to have behaved
well. The same force, on independent scout
ing parties by companies and squads, has be-
haved well. 1t was the first time they were
ever marched as squadrons before the enemy.
They had been accustomed TO dismount and
fight as infantry, and had little practice with
fhp en- her