Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-07-03
The Battle at Westminster, Md.
TIE FIRST DELAWARE
CAVALRY.
Official Report of Major Knight


We give below the official report of Major
n Is. Knight, commanding the First Delaware
cavalry, in the recent engagement. at Wsstmin-
ater, Md, with the rebels Il will put at Yest
the many id tumors Tint have been in eiroula-
ton 10 relation to the affair during the last few
days 1t is as follows:
HgApQu.RrRRs FIRsf BATTALION,
Delaware Volunteer Cavalry,
Camp near Baltimore, Md,
June Both, 1868.
QEsERAL:-ln obedience to special Orders,
No. 172, Headquarters 9Th Army Corps, moved
Oh Saturday evening with two computes Of my
command numbering in all ninety-hve men, Gu
the Hookstown Road in the direction of West |
minister, and having encamped for the night at
Reislertown we proceeded early next morning
to Westminster, where we arrived about eleven
o'clock and occupied the town. Having en-
eamped on the outskirts Of the Town, on the
road leading 10 Gettysburg, | Immediately
= threw out tickets on all the roads leading into
the town at Sufficient distances from my encamp-
ment 10 alow ample time TO be informed Of the
e appearance Of the enemy. Lieut.. Bowman's
l6Oln New York Vols } scouts reported about
o'clock on the dry OF our arrival that there
n were no rebels at either Gettysburg or Hanover,
which report was confirmed by citizens coming
|
is forwarded to you Immediately by special courier.
About o'clock on the evening uf the 18th
le inst the picket on the Hampstead Road came
ID 10 snd reported the advance Of the enemys
cavalry We were Immediately in the saddle
W ana went out 10 meet them. While awaiting
their approach | was informed that they had
taken the Manchester road which enters the
h turnpike about three miles below Westminster,
A. With a view to attack my rear, and cut off re-
traat at once fell back 10 that point aud
oil awaited their approach. Pckets were sent out
sc on all the roads to asceitain the exact where
abouts OF the enemy, but failing to discover his
al presence 80 reported TO me- Surprising that the
re rebels had retired, OF once marched back and
re occupied the town, extending my pickets tc
et a greater distance from tue town on all tht
ng roads On the following morning, my pi3ke'i
ia reported all quiet, and great many Of m,
JIG horses having been rendered almost unit I'll
en-. service by marching on the stony roads with
,he out shoes, ordered them TO be shod that morn
ing.
Of About 81 o'clock on the afternoon of the 10Th
tba yesterday information was brought in by
citizen 1.-THE picket having been coptured) tina
the enemy were advancing 10 force on tn
- Washington road, Immediately ordered oil th
ar serviceabIe horses TO be mounted, amounting I
in about seventy and advancing in column tbroug
the town proceeded TO give him battle.
ays ordered Lieut. D. W. c. Clark, Company
pro- with au aisance guard of twelve men to feel IL
-; enemy and ascertain his position. The advanC
ion having been driven 10, reported strong colum
Of cavalry-u part of whom were armed vii
carhiues-mOving towards us on the Washingtt
hia, road roa willie another column was marching
pei the upper eud OF the town with view to alta
us in front and rear, simulaueou sly, and at 4
'hn- same time to cut of our retreat
eet- Captain COrbit commanding Company q, W
ordered to charge the column on the Washnl
luh ton road which he did in gallant and mi sIer
ton manner, driving the enemy with very cousid'
g, able loss until his reserve arrived and re- G
"u' forcing the shattered column which Capt. Corl
had so galantly charged, turned again in owe
., whelming numbers upon Corbii and his be
vail followers and charged them so fariously that
m TO ordered up Lieut.. Caleb Churchman of Compa
49,. d, to his support Lieut.. Churchman hayi
I are previously been posted so as TO watch the NOV
nth. nents Of the enemy at the upper end Of
Al town.
'ne The enemy having been so heavily re-enfort
Gen. drove the two companies slowly bnck to
main pike, the men Of my command fighting
the time with the greatest bravery and deterr
.stor nation, and contendng holly for every inch
ground, but finding that the column of
d uhe enemy were coming down upon us from the
lived per end of the town, determined TO fall b,
upon Reisterown, and ordered Lieut. Chur
Je"i' mau with his company to protect and cover
retreat which he did in splendid style, los
liotic all but Of his men, and falling himself
ill be the hands of the enemy. I then fell bads
INNS. Reister own, the enemy pugsuing to within
ipin ha Ti au 81 ,he Frst fosrec,icut Cavalry
peru hold them in check until could rally my
com remaining men on this side Of the town, aud
T., A., dered Lieut.. Ready, Company G, to push
"a wy and turn back some seven or eight Of the
who were about mile in the advance This
failed to do but proceeded with the men dire
to Baltimore. | came slowly on accompRr
by Adiutant Lobdell, Lieut.. Clark, and two II
nm tho about mile this side of the town and then h
ate &C. eu' ueierhimeu 70 ieturh " asu reoooupy "
rraca tertown. This was proceeding to do, W
lember courier ariiseu orsi.ns gu otuol run you
II on.' I Immediately carried out (sending Adju
rform. Lobdell in advance to report to you the co
M ton of affairs, and returned to our old CAM
s;thon, ground at Stewards hill.
namaa' My casualties and losses sixty n
q c;,v killed, wounded aud missing, including two
,olsn mssonsd officers, Capt Chas. Corbit and Ii
a nre- Caleb Churcbman; the former of whom
p tris- while gallantly charging the enemy and is
dvancs prisoner in their hands aud the latter was
/; when .uteu WINE covering ine re"ea' Vi Tue
erhans body.
nm III, One wagon laden with hospital stores
he de- camp and garrison equipage, and also the
abont mental books and papers fell into the hant
50 who the enemy.
"a Oar cannot close this report without calling
10 ,h.t attention 10 the bravery and ntrepdity oil
wac at officers and men of my command whose efici
he non and determination of purpose saved us from
niscs ter humiliation.
liz citv have the honor to be, General,
s,orJay Very respy, your obt servant,
eysm N. b. KNIGHT,
all who MAJOR uommano
Middle Dgunrttnenf Hallmark Md