Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-07-27
SHEPHERDSTOwN DURING THE
CIVIL WAR.
BY Mcclure Moler.


certain per cent that want the things
that they can not get, while others
come their way. There are those that
know what they want and can't get it.
1t is for the benfit of those that have
prepared the following article.
Shepherdstown was the scene of any
great action during the Civil War.
There were incidents that happened
which made the town better for their
having happened. After the battle Of
Antietam or Sharpsburg might follow
the bit of history that has been record
ed pertaining to Shepherdstown and
vicinity. When Lees further advance
was checked, his forces were moved
back and concentrated at Sharpsburg !;
and as the sun went down on the eve
ming of the 10th of September, the
great army of General Mcclellan con-
fronted Lee on the eastern bank of the
Antietam. What followed is known.
The roll of great events was now ex-
hausted, but another bloody encounter
was soon TO take place near the SPOT
where Ashby had long before drawn
rein, and sat on his WHIT mount m
moved amid the Federal bullets
General Mcclellan had no sooner
heard of the retreat of his adversary,
than he pushed strong column toward
the Potomac in pursuit of him. Heavy
batteries were promptly disposed along
the high ground on the north bank OF
the river opposite Shepherdstown, and
determined fire was opened on tho
Confederate troops drawn up upon the
shore. To this fire General Pendle,
ton, chief of the artillery of the army,
replied with vigor, and the Stuart
Horse Artillery, under Major John Pei
ham, was especially active in engag-
ing the enemy's batteries.
In the evening the fire Of the FEEDER
al artillery was redoubled, and under
the protection of the guns, General Nc.
Clellan commenced crossing column,
driving off General Pendleton and
Lawtons brigades, which acted as a
support to the guns. BY the morning
OF the 10th a considerable body had
crossed to the southern bank, and
Generals A. P. Hill and Jubal A. Early,
who had moved with the rest of lack
sons corps toward Martinsburg, were
directed to return and drive the enemy
back.
These orders were promptly obeyed,
and the troops were soon at the point
OF danger. General Hill, who COM
manded, drew UP his force in two
lineS-the first composed of Pender's,
Gregg's and Thomas brigades, under
command of General Gregg; the sec
ond, Of Lanes, Archer's, and Broken
brough's brigades, under General
Archer. General Early, with his own
brigade and those of Trimble and HAYS,
took position on the right and left of
the road leading to the ford.
The Federal infantry was drawn up
on the high banks of the southern
shore, and every point upon the Mary
land side Of the river was crowned
with their batteries, ready to open fire
upon ttle Confederate line as soon as
it advanced. AS General Hill moved
forward to the attack, the Federal ar
tillery commenced rapid fire of shot
and shell upon his advancing column,
but no notice of this was taken by the
troops. They pressed forward, and
Pender found himself in front Of the
main Federal force, which was massed
to attack him. AS he charged, they
poured volley into his line, and then
rapidly extended with view of TURNING
his left. Archer promptly threw his
brigade in that direction, and formed
on Pender's left, when, advancing his
whole line, Hill made an impetuous
charge, and drove the Federal line be-
fore him, from the hill, down the bank,
and into the river, where many drown
ed in attempting to cross.
with no stop or hesitation" says
an eyewitness, "using no artillery,
sending his men in steadily, General
A. P. Hill drove the enemy into and
across the river, taking 300 prisoners,
and making the river blue with the
dead"
The large number of prisoners taken
seem to have discouraged the Federal
commander from any further attempts
to cross the river. The position on
the bank was held by Hill Throughout,
the day until relieved by Fitz Lees
cavalry, General Stuart having gone