Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-02-11

4
by whose neglect, we of course are left to
conjecture. There, the Division was
overtaken by Gen. b. +. Kelley aud STAFF.
After resting three days, the whole force
was marched about Is miles over North
Mountain, near 10 Cieafspring, where
they remained, in full view of the Rebel
foraging parties, until the entire force of
Gen. Lee had crossed the Potomac river
into Virginia, when Col, Muligans Divis-
ion moved to Willialnsport. Remaining
here over night, the force then fell back
to Cherry Run ford, where, with few
miserable scows, it was crossed into Nir-
ginia and took up a position near He'd
gcsyille.
On 10Th of July the command was Or
dercd to fall back to Cherry Ran ford, as
the Rebel Gen. Earley's Division was
coming down the North Mountain road to
cut oil the retreat of Ii, Federal forces.
Col. Thoburn's Brigade was there crossed
over the Potomac river in scoMs before
Col. Canipbell's Brigade received orders
to cross, and they made a narrqw escape
from capture by this neglect. The last
mentioned Brigade, however, succeeded
in getting over tiie river except regiment
Of Inflntry (5Itli Pa. voi.) aid Moo:e',
Battery of Artillery. This Battery was
pl. cd in position where it had no range
and would have been cut off with scarcely
an effort or the part Of the enemy. So
perilous was It that an aid Of Gen, Aver
il, seeing the situation Of one section of
the B.ttery, took the respon sib;lity, and
ordered it to cross the river into Mary land.
The Rebels fired three shells into the
9th Ia. Vol, and then retired. Had
they attacked this regiment in its isolated
position, without any support. and the
swollen river in its rear, it could not.have
escaped. Providence, and not the tactics
of the commanding officer Of the Division
saved the Regiment os well as the Bat
terry.
II nay not be aniss TO state here, tina.
tae wife'f an officer accompanied him on
this expedition, ard that during the swift
retreat from Hedgesville, that officer sent
one Of his staff to get an ambulance from
one of the Infantry regiments for her to
travel iii, leaving the sick soldiers to get
along the best way they ccull. -.
In few days the Command again eros
scd the Potomac river into Virginia, and
after some manoevering marched via
Romney to Petersburg Va, leaving Col.
Campbell Brigade!at Romney. Shortly
afterwards 4 small Infanfry force (of LIST
Va. Vols was sent to Aloorefcld, but
we're soon compelled to retreat before a
S lpcrior force of the rebels They were
h wevcr, soon sent back again to Moore
fi,ld though that place was known to BE-
by small force, and on the
l1th of September, Maj. Stephens Of lst
Va, who commanded at that post, was
surprised and the most Of his force, con-
sisting of FIVE companies of the veterans
of his regiment were taken prisoners
But feeble and fruitless effort was made
to capture them. ..rr..
On the 10th of November, large train
of wagons was captured by the rebels,
while on the road between New Greek
and Petersburg After the rebels had
moved off with their booty, some cavalry
aud infantry were sent in pursuit, but OF
course too late to accomplish anything.
And here it may be proper to state that
the citizens of this Department, as well
as many military and officers and soldiers
have been at loss to conjecture the mo-
tive which prompted the authorities to
keep force stationed at Petersburg. re-
lurng large wagon trains to haul sup
plies through the encmy's country some
80 miles, and liable to be attacked and
captured so often as has occurred.
TO resume our narrative. On the Sd
of January 1864, another wagon train;
the finest mule train probably in the Gov
eminent service, was captured on the same
road, though guarded by over 500 men,
many of whom were taken prisoners
The Rebels again moved off leisurcly with
their booty, whilst Col. Mulligan in conf
mand OF. considerable force, retired to
Fort Fuller at New Greek, fearing an at
tack from rebel cavalry. COL Campbell
was ordered to fall back TO Cumberland
with his Brigade, and thus no attempt
was made to follow the rebels to recap
ture the wagon train. .,t e.
On Both Of january, about ten days
ago. another large train of wagons, re-
ported to be Eearly one hundred, travel
ling on the same road, with rations and
other supplies for the garrison at Peters.
burg. was captured by tho Rebels, who
also took number..of prisoners out OF the
guard along with the train. The Rebels
divided their forces and sent 400 cavalry
down Patterson Creek to the B. & o. r.
X. where they captured on FEB. I'd. a
company of the 54th Pa. Vols. stationed
there. They then proceeded about 2
miles further along the railroad and set
fire toauothst bridge over the Potomac
r;vcr within & miles of Cumberland. -