R. H. Cunningham to Ool, May 18, 1862

Camp on the Road, Va., May 18, 1862.

CAPTAIN:

I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this regiment during the battle on the 8th instant near McDowell:

At about 5 p. m. I received an order from the colonel commanding the Second Brigade, through you, to move my regiment forward on the road immediately in rear of the Forty-eighth Virginia Regiment, which I at once did, and followed that regiment a short distance up the side of the mountain, where the firing was then going on, when I was directed by the major-general commanding to form my regiment in the hollow across the road leading to the river, and to be governed in my movements by an ambuscade party from the Fifty-second Virginia RegiCnar. XXIV.) ENGAGEMENT NEAR M’DOWELL, VA. ATT

ment, which he had sent in front of us. I moved the regiment in line to within 75 yards of the ambuscade party and 150 yards below the ravine where other troops ascended the mountain.

We did not come in contact with the enemy during the evening, but were exposed to a scattering fire while moving to our position, by which one man received a slight contusion from a spent ball.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lieut. Ool., Commanding Twenty-first Virginia Regiment.
Capt. R. N. WiLson,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade, Valley District.
No. 9.
Report of Maj. Henry Lane, Forty-second Virginia Infantry.

May 17, 1862.