The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-07-27

The battle at Folch's Mill, about two
miles out on the Baltimore Pike from
Cumberland, was fought Aug. 1, 1864,
Gen. b. Il. Kelley in command. 1t was
thrilling to listen to the old hero,
while he described this battle. Gen.
Averell was on the heels OF the invad-
ing Confederates, and they were flying
before him at double-quick towards
the Potomac. There they hurrledly
re-crossed into Virginia; but scarcely
had their inglorlous route been an
nounced to tho citizens OF Cumberland,
before 1t Was reported they had return
cd to Maryland and were pushing their
way In tho direction OF their city.
There was great excitement among
the people.
They had vast stores OF supplies,
and the Confedertes knew it, and were
prepared to take any reasonable risks
to replenish their depleted stores.
Gen. Kelley was dispatched to inter-
cept their app lch. He led his troops
out to the mill in question where they
ambushed behind O ledge of rock and
Bcrubby underground, while his son,
at the head of 200 cavalrymen. swept
out along the pike to reconnoitre for
the foe. The cavalry soon returned at
full run and reported the rebels rapidly
approaching and near at hand. Gen.
Kelley gave orders to his troops
not to fire a shot until the Confederates
were within certain distance.
| Soon the enemy came In view, and
their bearing, plainly indicated that
they were anticipating an easy capture
of Cumberland, and speedy replen.
ishment of their seanty stores, when
the General ordered his troops to fire.
1t was SO unexpected, and was such O
whitening fire, that in moment the
enemy broke into preclpitouS re
treat They were, however, soon raj.
led, and in few minutes, with charg'
ing bayonets and at double-quick, re
newed the battle, but such a CALLING
fire was poured upon them, by q foe
they could not see, that again they
fed in dismay.
The delay in renewing the attack was
evidence the Confederates were about
to abandon their task, or were making
more elaborate preparations for re
newing it, which the Uuionists coulc
not for some time divine. But after
a while they were seen making a ilanl
movement, and seeking the cover of {
large barn to renew the task of dis
lodging the Federals. General Kelley
solved their intentions in q moment
and had the barn set on fire. when, a
the head OF his troops he charged OF
them with such q terrible volley o
lead and steel that they again brok,
! into utter route, and under the cove
of the darkness which soon came on
they retreated to their lines beyon,
the Potomac, empty-handed and beat
en-.
The General related very interest
ing episode of this fight. In Cumber
land lived his beautiful and accom-
plished aIfianced, the eldest daughte
OF Colonel Robert Bruce; and Will
the battle ragged she stood pale AM
mute on the Court House steps, listen
ing to the boom of cannon and the rat
tie Of musketry, her heart lifted ii
burning implead to her God for hi
! protection, but with a terrible fore
boding at the same time that at an,
= moment messenger might bring he
tidings of i'll, and no heart ever bea
J more gladly than hers when the gal
j liant Kelley returned to his head-quaI
tiers in the city.
Gen. Kelley did not take as higl
rank in the army as some, but he un
doubtly had in him the elements of
great soldier which great emergeT
cies would have brought out. Fo
gallantry at Cumberland and New
Crock he was brevetted Maior-G Genera
and we are told he never lost battl
throughout the great civil war.
G. w, BURKE.