Order
Unknown to Irvin McDowell, September 12, 1861
September 12, 1861.
SIR:
By order of General Smith I was placed under your command
yesterday, and in accordance with your directions I led my party as
the advance guard to Lewinsville, sent 10 men on the road to Falls
Church, 4 on the road to Vienna, and 2 on the road to Alexandria.
Soon after my arrival I was ordered to send an officer and 10 men to
repulse the enemyâs mounted pickets on the road towards Vienna.
Having no officer present, I led them myself and performed the required
duty, dispersing the rebel cavalry to the number of 50 men. I would
especially notice the gallantry and firmness of George Hicks, of my
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Maryland, N. Virginia, W. Virginia, 1861–62. Summary: A Union officer reports to General McDowell his successful leadership of an advance guard mission dispersing Confederate cavalry near Lewinsville during the early Civil War.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 5
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