Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-10-27
GEN. ImBopEN.s REcENT cAfrUREs.

We have received from corIespon-l
dent, the following graphic account OF
the recent brilliant exploit OF Gen. I'M
boden in the capture of a Yankee regl
ment at Charlestown, with their arms,
ammunition, train, &c. The prisoners
arrived here Saturday, and have been
sen. to Richmond:
CAMP OF N. w. Va. BRIGADE,
Oct Oath, 1888.
Mr.. EDITOR Our command has just returned
from short but sharp campaign to the lower
Valley and knowing yonr readers feel an inter-
est in the occurrences in this department, / will
give you brief summary of our operations.
When Gen. Lees late a Vance commenced,
orr command moved dewn the West base Of the
Blue Ridge, arriving at Berryviile on the evening
of the 18th, where a slight cavalry skirmish oc-
Cured. At 2 O'Clock at night, an advance on
CbarlestoWn commenced, where We arrived at
daylight, finding the garrison to consist of the
9th Md. Infantry, and battalion OF cavalry
The General placed his troops in position, and
demanded surrender, which being refused by
the Yankee Colonel commanding, he ordered
McClanahan to open fire with his battery on the
Court House and Jail. While this was occur
ring, the enemy's cavalry (120) attempted to-
make their escape on the Harper's Ferry road,
but were intercepted by Col. fImboden, with the
18th Va. Cavalry, and Maj. Gilmer, with 40 of
his men, who whipped and captured them, with
their horses. and equipments. In the meantime
our artillery drove their infantry from the town.
when they In turn attempted the unsuccessful
feat of the cavalry force Col. Imboden dismount-
ing his men, received them with carbines and re-
volvers, breaking them, and driving them from
| the road to field, when remounting, he charged
| them on horseback, when they threw down their
| arms and surrendered, the field officers alone
max ing their escape on horse back. We found
the prisoners to number $50, exclusive of killed
/ and wounded.
/ These were at once sent to the rear, and only
IN time to be out of the running fight of IL
miles, that now ensued with brigade OF the en-
envy from Harper'S Ferry, consisting OF infantry,
artillery and cavalry, and who pressed us back
as far as RerryYiile. tt was IN these actions that
Col. Smth's CID regiment, Maj. Whites battal
ron and MeNeil's command now became en-
gagged. the whole command retiring from bill to
hill as the artillery took ~ new positions in the
/ rear 1t was in one Of these retrogade move
ments that by the rapid withdrawal Of the artii
lery and misconstcuction of orders, the 18th
and McNeill's Rangers were thrown iuto tempo
rary confusion, and we're driven back several
| hundred yards by the enemy thus encouraged /;
but being sustained by the 62d regiment in gal
/ liant stand, they reformed and maintained during
/ the remainder of the day, the reputation they
had gained by their conduct in the first action OF
i the morning. Whites battalion behaved with a
gallantry during the day that promises it brit
| liant future, as did the artillery. Smith and his
regiment were Acomplfmented BY the General for
their intrepidity. Ii was here that we lost Cap
tains Currenee and Calmese severely wounded,
and Lieut. Monroe, slightly, and Is or 20 men
killed ana wounded.
At Der. yviiie the pursuit stopped.
i The enemy's loss in killed could not be asceT-
tanned, we having to fall back whenever their at
tacks were repealed, fearing flank movement
from Wartinsburg We now retired leisurely up
the y:st3ess by the ssFork Valley road, bring
ing off the prisoners with their train and captur-
1 ed property. The former have been sent to
Stanton in charge of Captains Imboden and
Hall, marching under their former elegant stand
of coiors, apparently well satisfied With the Gem
erals irregular way of mastering Abe's troops
out of service. They are principally Baltimore
ans and SIX months men, having two months yet
| TO serve, and freely express the determination
never to enter the service again, saying they en-
tered for six months to avoid draft for three
years.
| In a few days the Valley Brigade will be
cruited and ready for the field again.
/ OCCASIONAL