Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-12-21
Military Operations in jefferson
County.
Continued from first page.

Continued from first page.)
certain what the next move would be,
On the Sixteenth. the Federals, cross
ing at Shepherdstown and driving in
the pickets, advanced large force Of
cavalry as far as Kearneysville. Here
Fitz .ee and Chambliss' brigades of
csv.'sY confronted them and steadily
dove them back. The federals were
amply supplied with artillery, and at
every favorable position, made stub
born resistance. Late in the evening.
& uart came on the field and took com
m md, having ordered General Jenkins.
" tn his brigade of cavalry from near
M artinsburg tohis assistance, who ar
rived later ia the evening.
The enemy, having fallen back to
Buffers words, made final stand,
Tie cavalry could not well operate,
and SO both sides dismobnted their men
and fought until dark. The Confeder
atss remained on the field expecting to
renew the engagement in the morning.
but the enemy moved off in the night.
There is no official account of the
Losses on either side. Colonel Drake,
OF the first Virginia Cavalry, was
mortally wounded, and died that night
at Mr.. Marshalps. About 40 feet from
Marker No. 2. measuring west. is the
place where he was shot He was an
able officer.
/ This movement of the enemy had
been made to ascertain Lee'ss position,
but failed. This force was to have
been supported by brigade from Har-
pe.s Ferry, but they failed to arrive on
time, as will be shown. Company D,
of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, was
plcketing from near Shepherdstown to
Engle's Hill; and when theadvance was
made, they stayed within the enemy e
lines to operate. A courier was cap
turcd at Uvilla on the evening of the
fifteenth, and sufficient information OBJ.
tanned to justify our watching this
: road.
Early on the morning of the Six.
teentb, Captain Kearney took position
: in the timber adjoining the Uvilla store
put picket in either direction, anc
! awaited events. It was not long unit
squad appeared. They were taker
, in. The company would divide, anc
!, charge front and rear. This was con.
tinued until thirty three prisoners,
their horses and equipments, and the
Generals headquarters wagon with
his extra clothing, camp fixtures, anG
bedding, and two fine horses and har-
ness, and servant were captured. Sew
eral escaped and gave the alarm.
Marker NOT, on the hill north of the
Uyilla store, is where most of the cap
, lures were made.
Major Knott, joining the company al
this time, sent the prisoners back tt
safety, and moved the company tc
Moler's Cross Roads, two and one-hali
miles east of Uvilla. When they near
ed the place, they saw the advance
guard Of some force They charged
and captured one. The others ran into
their column, closely followed by our
company. They were over the hill and
could not be seen. The company wheel.
ed about and exchanged some shots and
retired. 1t was brigade of cavalry
with artillery on their way to reinforce
their forces at Shepherdstown. They,
supposing that heavy force was in
, their front. placed their artillery in po
sitiop, threw out skirmishers. put their
squadrons in line of battle and awaited
: developments. Full three hours time
Z was lost. Every citizen that happened
along was held bv them until near mid
night.
They finally moved on, and Joined
} forces near Shepherdstown; but toe
late. This timely check of this brigade
for three hours undoubtedly saved the
{ day on the pike at buffers woods. Our
4 fnpcea were very many less than theirs.
Marker No. sat Moler's Cross Roads,
! is few hundred yards west of wheri
tie brigade was checked.
I tContinued next week.