The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-13
A REBEL RAID.
Averill, McCaus1and, and New Creek, as
Viewed by Chief Engineer.

Ayerill, McCausland, and New Creek, as
Viewed by Chief Engineer.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: If some
writers would confine themselves more
closely to facts and history the old sol
der boys and their children would read
their stories with more interest and the
writer's not lay themselves so open to crit
icism. They must not forget that some of
the old boys are still around, and were
there at the time" and know all about
it. / refer now more particularly to an
article by Prof. w. ]. Dewes in your is
sue of Aug. 80, entitled "a Spurious
Clerk"
As to McCausland, Averill and New
Greek. he says: From Chambersburg
the Confederates marched directly upon
New Creek"
(See Vol. II, Rebellion Records, page
517, as follows):
Hancock, Md, July 80, 1864.
"Gen. Kelley: The rebels crossed at
rectly north. They were in Mercersburg
last evening at 6 o'clock. They went to
Loudon, % miles north of here. and cut
the telegraph about 8 o'clock last even
ing. 1t is the general opinion that they
are making for Chambersburg.
-. II SHAW,
Capt and Asst Engineer"
McCausland burned Chambersburg July
80, about 3 o'clock a. m, and left in a
few hours, Averill following him directly
to McConnellsburg, where a heavy skirm|
ish took place; thence south to Hancock,
Md, where a skirmish took place be-
tween q few troops and 'Ironclads, Capt.
Harris and Petree, preventing him from
crossing the Potomac. Averill closed be-
hind where he (AveriID went into camp
and where we will leave him until after
the battle of New Greek. q was there
with the "Ironclads."
McCausland, thinking he was trapped,
made directly for Cumberland, on the
National Road. 40 miles. July 81
flanked him and went with few engi-
neers directly ahead of him, bIockading
his road wherever l could, he pushing me
all the time.
sent courier to Gen. Kelley at Cum
berland, and he sent me assistance-Col.
Simpson and six companies, with some
pioneers. We were pushed TO Cumber-
land about 3 p. IN. Aug. /, where Gen.
Kelley made a stand and fought them
until p. m.,. at long range. Mind you,
these were the same boys who cleared
Fort Piano at New Greek Aug. f.
McCausland. making up his mind that
he had Caught Tartar" retreated east
ward during the night to Old Town, Md,
and Green Spring, where he was prevent
ed from crossing the Potomac by Col
Slough with about 200 men G53d Ohio in
a blockhouse. and 'IrOnclads," Capt Har-
rison, held there for hours until Col.
Stough's ammunition gave out, when he
SURRENDERED gallant defender-with
1O0-days men-eight "IrOnclads."
McCausland then went south to Rom
ney, 20 miles, via Springfield, thence
westward, via Mechanicsburg Gap and
n..r. III tD
Aug. a, when the attack was made, Nc
Causlands brigade attending TO Fort
Piano, Bradley Johnson's to Fort Fuller
and the valley. Lieut.-Col. Simpson. with
the 18th w. Va, four companies, and two
companies of the 9th w. Va. dhe same
men who had defended Cumberland), was
sent to New Greek and cleared Fort
Piano-a splendid charge. Col. Steven
sons men, consisting of the 154th Ohio,
two companies of the 9th w. Va, our sec
ton of the 1st ILL., Battery (O'Rourkes),
and Battery III, LIST Va. l.. A., Capt
Holmes. did the balance. Averill was
where we left him at Hancock, 60 miles
away.
Does not Prof. Dewes see he is taking
away honors that belong to other men
and giving them to Averill? See Gen.
Kelley's report, Vol. 80, page 2, Rebel
lion Records.
On Aug. Averill crossed the Potomac
at Hancock ana marched through Bath,
Bloomery Gap, Capon Mountain, Spring
| field, and Romney, arriving at Moorefield
Aug. Z, at 8 p. m, overtaking McCaus-
| land and Johnson. who had retreated
| from New Creek, completely routing
| them, taking johnson and about 500 off,
GERS and men, Johnson slipping out in the
darkness and escaping. Averill returned
| to New Greek the Sth with the prisoners.
Prof. Dewes says McCausland's force
was about 1000. He had about 2,6OO
all told and four pieces of artillery.
| saw them all half-dozen times, He lost
| all his artillery at Moorefeld.
Again, Prof. Dewes says: "The post
Of New Creek was soon after captured
by a small Confederate cavalry com
mand."
Col. Latham had 700 men, with seven
pieces of artillery. Rosser and Payne had
two brigades, of about 1000 men all told
1t was n shameful surprise. Latham's
men were not in Fort Piano, but Fort
| Fuller, in the Valley. Want of disci-
| pline was the cause. | was one of the
first men at New Creek after its capture
| was sent by Gen. Crook to examine and
report. l went with Col. Rust with the
18th and 18th Me-, from Cumberland;
went in on the locomotive.
| You will find full account of McCaus-
lands raid Except New Creek in THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE of April 13, 1895 q
| believed written by me. Put them to-
gether.-S. Il. SHAW, Chief Engineer. De-
nartment of West Virginia, Parkersburg,
| w Va.