The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-06-13
ION ES'5 RAID
From r.s.nond's t,,sfory Of Harrison County

II :
what is commonly known as Joues,s
raid lie celebrated N the WAY annals
OF Wesr Virginia, and Is the only In
gance during the Civil war ins1Th4ch
an armed body OF COnfederafes ap-
peared IN the 1im11s OF Harrison
county. $3.50
General William E. Jones, a native
of Virginia who graduatedafron the
west Virginia military academy IN
1888 and served as a leutenant in the
Mounted Rifles until his resignation
in 1857. At the commencement OF the
civil war he entered the Confederate
army and was killed at Mount Craw-
iford IN the valley OF Virginia inElS64.
The troops engaged IN the exoedf-
ton were all cavalry and composed
,of the following regiments, Sixth Vir-
ginia, Col Thomas s. F7ourney Sew
enth Virginia. Col. Richard Duianey,
Eleventh Virginia, Col Lunsford Z:
Lonax, Twelfth Virginia, Col. A. w.
Harman and Browns Maryland bat
talon.
The brigade moved from its winter
camp near Harrfsonburg in April.
1863. across the mountains by way of
Moorefetd, and struck the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad at Oakland and
thence to Rowlesburg doing what
damage 1t could to the bridges and
track. which was not very effective
as the artillery had been left behind
and 1t had no facilities for blowing
From RowIesburg the command
moved northwardly by way of King
wood to Morgantown gathering all the
horses and cattle 1t could find and
confiscatinS all hats, boots and cloth
Ing out OF the stores along its route
From Morgantown it moved to Fair
mont and after skirmish there with
some troops and militia. destroyed the
railroad bridge over the Monongahela
and continued on to Shinnston, and
after a skrmish at Mau1sby bridge.
crossed the West Fork river, moved
up Simpsons creek by way of Bridge
port to Phiippi. At this time it Is
stated that General Jones had cap
tured about 1900 head of cattle and
1900 horses. Colonel EFarman was
detailed with his regiment to escort
mountains by way of Beverly to
Staurton-
The remainder of the command pro-
ceeded by way of Buckhannon, Wes-
ton and West Union to Burning
Springs then the center of oil pro-
ton, where great quantities Of oil IN
barrels was destroyed, together with
derr1cks and other property. by fire.
The command then turned eastward
by way of Chenille to sutton and at
this point owing to the scarcity OF
supplies, the brigade was divided into
separate detachments and, directed to
go by different routes to the Shenan-
doah valley. and to unite again IN
Harrisonburg.
Many amusing incidents are told OF
the terror inspired when Jones's
rough riders suddenly dashed into the
various towns OF West Virginia. All
of themen hid or fled from their APP
proach, but as a rule the women anu
children remained to prevent If pos
sfble. the destruction OF their homes
or loss ns property
The merchants were plundered Of
their stock. principally OF boots. sn zoe
clothing. blankets and groceries The
farmers suffered in the loss OF forage.
horses, cattle and other live stock
General Jones, IN his reports of the
expedition, states that he left Lacey
Spring. Rockingham county va. on
April al, 1863, and marched by way
OF NoorefeId near Rowlestburg, Evans
VILE. Kingwood. Morsantown TO
Fairmont where April 20 he captured
ESQ prisoners and destroyed the rali-,
road bridge over the Monongahela
river at that place
On the morning of April 80. his
command moved towards C1arksburS
by way of Shinnston. He states from
some captured furloughed men finding
Clarksburg occupied by the enemy we
crossed the Monongahela, Went up
Simpsons creek and captured the
force at Bridgeport, Ave miles east
OF Clarksburg. This work was done
by the Maryland cavalry under the
gallant Major Brown. Forty-seSen
prisoners were captured with their
arms and a few horses A bridge to
the left OF the town was destroyeo
and a captured train run into the
stream. Tall tressling to the right
OF the town was burned
CAPTAIN Frank A. Bond, commanding
the First Maryland battalion says IN
his report that when within four
miles Of Bridgeport, Company q was
sent on picket on the Clarksburg
road. They were soon after attacked
by what seemed to be a, body OF
mounted infantry. numbering about
200 They retFeated beofre them TO
the ford, and there made stand
which checked the enemy until the
object was accomplished Giving to
the small number OF long range guns
IN Company B. they had to reply to
the Infantry with their pistols. wssc zen
while keeping them in check. pre-
vented our infictlns much or any loss
upon them
Colonel Lunsford IL IomsS. Elev-