Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-09-05
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN
JEFFERSON COUNTY.

MILITARY OPERATIONS IN
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
(From Book Published by the JEFF
ferson County Camp of Confederate
Veterans, extracts from which we
will give from time to time.)
MARKER NUMBER NINE
Capture By Mosby-Sharp Encount-
err at Melvin's Hill.
Duffields, on the B. & o. r. r.,
where Marker No. 3 is located, was
always occupied by the Federals
when they had possession of the
lower valley, thus guarding the rail-
road, one OF the principal feeders of
the army of the Potomac. They
also picketed the roads to guard
against raids Of the Confederates.
There were times when the railroad
was guarded from Harpers Ferry to
the North Mountain, in hailing dis
lance of each other, and yet Con-
federates would pass through fire.
quently. One favorite crossing was
about one and one-half miles east of
Dufields. Kephart and Melvin's
woods was on either side of the rail-
road, on elevated ground, and the
guard could be thanked unobserved.
In July, 1864, Colonel Mosby sur
prised and captured the whole force
at this place (Dufields), numbering
about 100 men. On July 18th, 1864,
George Cook of Company D, Twelfth
Virginia Cavalry, was mortally
wouded about one mile east of
Dufields, and died the following
day.
A sharp encounter occurred at
Melvin's Hill, about one and one
quarter miles east of Duffields, be-
tween three rebs and three yanks,
in July '63. The three rebs had
been sent to establish a picket post
on Engle's Hill, not knowing that
the Federals were advancing. After
crossing the Halltown and Shep-
herdstown road, citizen informed
them that the Federals were adj
vancing, and that a company had
just passed. The Confederates
wheeled about to investigate. The
Federal company had sent three
scouts up the road toward Duffields
and the Confederates, being inform
ed of that fact, prepared for it. The
yanks saw the rebs coming, raised
their carbines, and waited until the
rebs were within seventy-five yards
and fired, but missed. Both sides
used their revolvers. The rebs drove
the yanks back to a stone house
killing one, wounding one, and lib
Grating one prisoner they had cap
tured. In the melee, a horse of one
of the rebs fell, and disabled it.
rider.
The Federal cavalry, hearing tn,
firing, wheeled and come back a
full tilt. Reb No. 2, getting too
not shoot, for fear of wws Y ffi
close with an empty revolver, wa
taken in. Reb No. 8, with TIVE
loads, could not shoot, for fear o.
killing his comrade; and the com
pany, almost on him, he gave thu
spur to his horse, jumped the cal
fence, and reported to his company
\ MARKER NUMBER TEN
Engagement On And Near the Lee
town Road.
| On the 21st of August 1864 Gen
eral Early had formed his line Of
battle in front of Charles Town, w
Va, with General Rhodes on his left
General Lomax, with his division Of
cavalry, protected their left flank
Harry Gilmor with the two Mary
land batallions and the 10Th and 20tl
Virginia regiments of Jackson's bri
gade were on the extreme left, anC
were ordered to hold the Leetowl
road.
!, Gilmor dismounted the 10th regi
ment near the house then owned b.
Mrs. Daniel and now the property O.
James E. Watson. They were a
J once charged by regiment of cav
. airy. Awaiting until they approach
ed very near, the 10th opened ;
, steady fire upon them, which threw
them into confusion, when Chino
ordered Captain Welsh to charg'
them with the First Maryland. The.
retreated, the regiment driving then
back to their reserves, taking SOM
prisoners, and killing and woundins
, a small number.
A brigade of cavalry attempted t,
, move around the left of Gilmor'
line, there they formed the 10Th ant
10th in the woods near the house
This line was attacked by Dufie'
brigade, led by the 18th Penn
sylvania, commanded by Colone
Bell. Gilmor ordered his men t,
. withhold their fire until the enem!
got within a hundred yards. Whel
the word to fire was given, goot
many saddles were emptied. Among
those who were shot was Colone
Bell, who fell mortally wounded.
The enemy retreated then to theil
reserves. The artillery kept up /;
furious and incessant fire on tbs
woods. Later in the afternoon {
desperate charge was made on the
two Virginia regiments. The mel
had thrown up a barricade of rails
and CALAMITY held their position
About so Federals cut their way
through and were captured by {
squandron from the 1st Maryland
under Lieutenant William Dorsey anc
Gilmor. Colonel Bells adjutant, q
son of Governor Curtin of Penn.
sylvania, mounted on Col. Bells
horse was captured. This ended the
fight and the enemy, during the
night retreated in the direction OF
Harpers Ferry.
The enemy's loss was heavy, in
killed, wounded and prisoners.
MARKER NUMBER ELEVEN
Fighting At Wageley's Shop And In
Woods Near Leetown.
General Early, leaving Anderson