The National tribune., 1908-11-26

Ing up thru Bolivar, started toward
Shepherdstown to attempt to surprise
the Confederate rear guard. Gen. Gregg
had with him brigade commanded
by Irwin Gregg, and expected to be fol-
lowed closely by that commanded by
Col. Pennock Huey. Gregg dashed into
Shepherdstown, where he was met by
the 18th Va Cav, which he drove
back, taking the Colonel of the regi-
1nent prisoner. Gregg established him
self in Shepherdstown, but Huey did
not come to his support, as had been
expected, and Stuart began very Of
fensive return attack. Jones's Brigade
was 20 attack on the right, while Jen-
kins was to come up with his brigade
from Martinsburg on the left, and FitZ-
hugh Lees and ChambIiss's Brigades
were to advance by the direct road to
ShepherdstoWn- Thus four Confeder-
ate brigades We're to attack in front
and on both danks one single Union
brigade. Before Stuart was ready to
strike he was called to Lees headquar-
tcfs, and left the execution of this plan
10 Fitzhugh Lee. Fortunately this
latter General was SO eager to capture
Gregg's Brigade entire that he took
plenty of time for his preparations,
and Gregg was warned of his danger
and made skilful dispositions against
him. Fftzflugh Lee was waiting for
dismounted his cavalrynen in order to
attack the Federals, whom he found
well established in a strong position
Gregg promptly assumed the offensive
to conceal the smallness of his numbers,
and effectually deceived F'itZhueh Leo
Tho the Union soldiers were driven
back some distance Lee hesitated be-
fore advancing until he had all his
force in hand. When Jenkins came up
at last Lee attacked, but found the
Federal cavalrymen behind such strong
defenses that he was repelled with a
Loss OF about 100 men. including the
Colonel of the 1st Va. Cav. The 4th
and 18th Pa. and 1st Me. held the
front, with the 10th N. Y. on the right
holding the road to Martinsburg, while
the First Brigade was charged with
holding the roads leading back to Har-
per's Ferry and Charlestown. The fight
went on the whole afternoon, with the
enemy trying to get possession of Shep-
Eerdstown, with its hospitals and stores
of provisions.
Col Huey came up with the Second
Brigade, and reported that the enemy
was between Shepherdstswn and Har-
per's Ferry, which placed the command
in very perilous position. The river
at Shepherdstown was unfordabie, and
therefore the only way out was to cut
thru the enemy back to Harper's Ferry.
The best hope of success was to do this
by surprise in the night, and therefore
the position was stubbornly hsld until
afer dark, when the wounded were coll
lected in the hospitals at Shepherds
town, and transportation provided for
Euch as could be moved. Those who
could not were left in charge OF med
tcal officer.
About 8 o'clock II was discovered that
the enemy was withdrawing, so there
was no further occasion for haste, and
the rear of the command did not leave
Shepherdstown until daylight on the
morning of July II. Gregg's loss was
four officers wounded, eight men killed
and 6s wounded and one officer and 10
enlisted men missing. Gregg then re-
turned to Harper's Ferry, thence going
10 Leesburg.
July 18 saw the Second and Third
Corps near Harper's Ferry, ana the
FIRST and Fifth with Meade at Loyetts-
Vile. opposite Berlin. The other threa
corps, which had crossed at Harpar,s
lFerry, followed the base of Loudoun
mountain, and put themselves in eobe-
ION along the eastern slope from Hiils-
boro to Woodg-ovs A brigade of cav.
niry was sent to occupy Smokers Gan.
Inc hrst gateway thru the Blue Ridee
s'utn OF the Potomac. These move