Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-09-26
Seldom were wounded.
MARKER NUMBER TWENTY
Engagement Between Early and
Sheridan - Packeft,a Farm.

Engagement Between Early and
Sheridan at Packets Farm.
On August 21st, 1864, Gen. Early
marched from the vicinity Of Bun
ker Hill toward Charles Town, driv-
ing the Federal Cavalry before him
until he reached Cameron's Station
on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad,
where he encountered the in
fantry at Locust Hill.
He engaged them about nine o'clock
in the morning, and drove them to-
ward Charles Town. The Federals
threw up Notifications in front Of
his line and prepared to resist his
advance. The cavalry under Vaughn,
Johnson and Jackson advanced by
way of Leetown and joined Early in
front of Charles Town. McCaus-
land marched by way of Summit
Point and Fitz Lee by way Of Berry
vile and engaged the enemy on that
road. Early planted his cannon on
the hill around the house of John R.
Flagg, and formed his line of battle
north and south Of this point, while
Sheridan formed his line a short
distance east, the center being
around the house of John B. Packet.
Severe skirmishing and cannonading
took place at this point, and quite a
number of Federals were killed and
wounded in and around Mr.. Packett's
house. The house was occupied at
the time by Mr.. Packet and his
family and quite number of visi-
tors, among them several of the
Misses Washington, whose home was
about two miles distant. The Fed.
erals declined to allow them to leave
until the Smelling became too serious
with Lieutenant H. G. Nichols, they
made their escape, under fire, across
the fields towards the Federal lines
and in the direction of Charlie:
Town. Fortunately they all escaped
without injury. The house of Mr.
Packet to this day bears the evi
dence of the cannonading and musk
etry firing, a number of shells being
!, lodged in the walls. 1t was expect
ed a large engagement would tax,
place here but the Federals, although
largely outnumbering Early's army
! declined to attack On the night O.
the 21st, Sheridan withdrew and re
tired to Hafpers Ferry, pursued b.
Early's army. While Sheridan oc
cupied Charles Town he had hi
,, famous conference with Gen. Gran
at the house of Thos. Rutherfor,
and the destruction of the resource
of the Shenandoah Valley wa
, agreed upon.
MARKER NUMBER TWENTY oNl
3 Artillery Duel at Old Fair Ground
i Near Charles Town.
7 After the battle Of Sharpsbure
y Mcclellan remained north of tn
!. Potomac for about thirty days, whel
] he crossed below Harpers Ferry wit
: his artillery on October 16, 1868
To screen that movement he sen
!. Hancock with large force of in
t fantry, cavalry and artillery to max
Q reconnaissance in the direction o
e Charles Town. Our cavalry unde
$ the command of General T. T. Nun
$ ford retired before this force unit
q they reached a point about half
3 mile below Charles Town, known a
! the Old Fair Grounds. Here sec
t ton of Chew's Battery under Lieut.
: ]. W. Carter and two guns of tn
n Richmond Howitsers, third compan
under Captain B. H. Smith wer
placed in position, and opened o.
the enemy, who had planted thei
batteries on the hill about tire
quarters of mile below, known a
Buffers Hill.
!. A severe engagement between tn
!, artillery on either side took place a
this point, although the enemy wer
greatly superior in number and guns
The Confederate guns soon got tn
: range and inflicted serious ,damag
. upon the enemy. The resistance OF
{ their part was so bold and determin
ed that the Federals were delaye,
for several hours, and after the re
: tirement of the guns they occupied
: Charles Town until the next da,
! when they retired to Harpers Ferry
Lieutenant ]. w. Carter, who wa
greatly distinguished as an artiller,
officer and man of superb courag,
, and daring, was noticed in Officia
Report by General Munford, ant
recommended for promotion. Our
forces retired towards Berryville un
disturbed bV the enemy