The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-02-10

s-slELE n EfkHE ~ 4er7
/ moving on Romney, another small force out
watching from the neighborheod Of Cum
berland, we slowly fell back in the New
Creek Valley, with view to drawing the
enemy sufficiently close to the railroad to
enable Fitzsimmons and Thompson to get
in his rear. As we desired, the enemy fol-
lowed up. During this time q number OF
small fights occurred, in which we lost a few
killed and wounded. = o"~oa'
Z 7 { PRISONERS AND DEsERTERs. . .
On Sunday and Monday our cavalry took
some prisoners, but the number of. these
latter was far exceeded by the deserters
who hastened to come into our lines. From
these we learned that Early had been rein
forced heavily, and that it was true he had
been making extensive preparations to car
ry out this raid. ~
BREAKING THE RAILROAD COMMUNICATIONS.
On Tuesday about 500 of Rosser's men
slipped in between Mulligan's and Fitzsim
mons columns and broke our railroad COM
munication, by partially destroying one
bridge and slightly injuring another, How
soon the damage was repaired and how tri-
vial it was you have already learned. The
enemy succeeded in reaching the railroad
and in partially getting safely away, only in
| consequence Of the columns from Martins
burg and Harper's Ferry having defeated
Early's calculation by failing to reach Rom.
ney at 6 p. M. on the evening Of the 3D.. 1t
was calculated that this column would be
at Romney as stated, and that any rebel
force which moved in by way of Springfield
or Frankfort would be cut off by Fitzsim
mons, Thompson's or Mulligan's s forces, and
kept from doing any very great injury to
the railroad by the troops stationed at
Cumberland and elsewhere within easy sup
porting distances. This was not all the
plan of operation, but only that portion
which the enemy knew about, as we'll as
ourselves; and hence can see no indisere
ton in publishing it. Yet while all did
their duty in the best possible manner and
here l feel constrained to assure the reader
that no matter how beautifully the philoso-
phical professor explains the mountains to
be nothing more than as ''litte asperities
on the rind of the orange" these self same
'little asperities" are not unfrequently the
cause of uncomfortable delays in military
movements, and tend to defeat the wisest
and best considered calculations still the
enemys success in reaching the railroad
| was due to the failure of our cavalry from
Martinsburg &c, to reach the Romney re-
| gion at the expected time.
MULLIGAN's MOVEMENTS.
As soon as it was known the railroad had
been cut, Col. Mulligan's forces moved for
ward from the New creek region and at.
tackled the enemy. We were successful in
making the enemy fall back. Our move,
ments towards the enemys rear of course
hastened his departure from position that
was getting to be more dangerous than
either interesting or profitable.
SCENES IN CUMBERLAND.
At the time when the enemy was known
to be within six to eight miles of Cumber.
land the troops there stationed formed for
action. Scenes of lively interest ensued.
In the streets of Cumberland, the ladies
that is, great many of them-prome-
Iaded up and down, Of course waiting for
the "ball" to open instead of seeming e1-
cited they appeared to be rather remarkably
cool and desirous of hearing the "WFere
are you? where are you?" shells 60 whizzing
over the devoted city of Cumberland, and
to see the coal dust flying in all directions.
Twill not stop to detail all the minor
movements we made and the skirmishes we
had, but passing over these, will state that
as soon a5 Coils. Fitzsimmons' and Thomp
sons forces opened communication with
Colonel Mulligan we vigorously pursued
the enemy, driving him on all the roads and
out of all the gaps in which he attempted
to maintain position.
FIGHT AT THE FORD.
Our forces continued to press the enemy
hard, until the latter made stand short
distance this side of Moor6eld.
The Moore6eld Valley is one of the most
beautiful valleys in the United States. 1t
is about fifteen miles long, by, upon an av-
erage, three miles wide, and contains river
bottom land of unlimited richness. It's
surrounded by mountains of picturesque for
nation, about two thousand feet in height,
and forms altogether one Of the most beau>
tiful scenic displays to be met with in any
portion of this country. Mooretield, stu
ated about two or three miles from the
ford, is Gown of four hundred inhabitants.
The town is well built, contains brick resi-
dences with tin roofs, and displays evidences
of progress and refinement, not observable
in other portions Of this region of country.
About three miles from the town of
Moore6eld, following the Moorefield and
Romncy turnpike road, you cross the South
branch Of the Potomac river, at what is
known as McNeils Ford. 1t was here that
Colonel Mulligan, on Thursday, in pursuing
the enemy, had fight. Rosser's command
disputed the passage of the river The
lands of this neighborhood are almost of
dead level but the river bank upon which
Colonel Mulligan took position, is higher
than the one On the other side. Thus we
had tue advantage of position. Our artil-
lery opened on the enemy about eight, A. NJ,
and rapid firing was kept up for some con.
siderable length of time afterward. The enc
my replied vigorously and for long time
kept US warmly at work. After good deal of
rapid sharpshooting, our shot and shell
drove the enemy off to sufficient distance
to enable us to obtain command of the
ford. A crossing was then effected. We
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