Unknown to Kelley sends this evening the following dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel Downey, April 23, 1862
General Kelley sends this evening the following dispatch from Lieutenant-Colonel Downey, in command at Romney:
Twenty-five of Firey’s and Shaw’s cavalry encountered Colonel Parsons with some
Firey’s men were killed and one of Shaw’s. A number of the rebels killed and wounded. I went out with re-enforcements, burned the houses the rebels fired from, and scoured the whole country around.
General Milroy also telegraphs that he made a reconnaissance yesterday with one cavalry and six infantry companies to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy. He overtook rear guard of cavalry 6 miles this side of the railroad, near Buffalo Gap. They retreated rapidly, pursued by our cavalry. General Milroy was informed that the main body had stopped the night previous 6 miles beyond Buffalo Gap ; that they had discovered that they were cut off from Staunton by General Banks, and were bearing off to the right, to go down through Bath and Alleghany Counties to James River.
WHEELING, V. A., April 24, 1862.
Information in General Kelley’s dispatch of yesterday confirmed and given more in detail by a telegram from General Schenck, which states that a squad of 25 infantry, sent from Romney by Lieutenant-Colonel Downey to look after guerrillas, was attacked yesterday morning on Grass Lick, between Lost River and Cacapon, by the rebels, 40 in number. Our force lost 3 killed, but drove the rebels, who took refuge in the house of one Palling. Colonel Downey went with a re-enforcement ‘ of cavalry, but the rebels fled at his approach, carrying off several dead and wounded, among the latter Colonel Parsons, their leader, and Palling, owner of the house. Colonel Downey reports interior of house covered with blood. He burned the house and pursued the flying enemy, taking 5 prisoners. General Schenck sent a re-enforcement of 160 cavalry and one piece of DeBeck’s artillery to come on the enemy in rear. These must have reached the place about 4 o’clock. Yesterday afternoon our messengers passing to and fro between Grass
Lick and Romney were fired on 4, 6, and 7 miles from Romucy by guerrillas. The prisoners will be tried by a military commission, and if found guilty will be shot.
Major-General, Commanding. Hon. E. M. STANTON.
APRIL 27, 1862.—Skirmish at McGaheysville, Va.
Adstract from ” Record of Events” in Cavalry Brigade, Department of the Shenandoah.* On the 26th instant orders were received from the department headquarters to make a reconnaissance toward the enemy’s lines at McGaheysville.
At 10 a. m. on the 27th General Hatch, with about 175 men from the Vermont and Michigan regiments and a section of Cothran’s battery, moved forward. Orders had been issued for two regiments of infantry from General Williams’ division to support the advance, but on arriving at the point designated for a junction they were not upon the ground. General Hatch, therefore, went on, leaving orders for them to follow. When near the town a picket was discovered, when one company of the Vermont regiment (Captain Platt) charged into and through the town and 1 mile beyond, driving two companies of the enemy’s cavalry and taking 2 prisoners. The enemy now rallied and opened fire upon the pursuing force. One piece of artillery was now brought forward and a few shells thrown. Lieutenant Ward, of the Vermont regiment, then moved forward and charged upon the enemy, who had before retreated from our advance. They immediately broke, and were followed for some distance to within 2 miles of Swift Run Bridge. Lieutenant Ward then rejoined the main body. General Hatch was then 12 miles from Harrisonburg. The infantry support had not come up, and General Hatch, not deeming it prudent to advance with artillery without ane other support than a small force of cavalry, returned to Harrisonurg.
On the 29th and 30th scouts and patrols from the Vermont and Michigan regiments were kept in motion day and night on roads leading into_ Harrisonburg from the direction of the enemy’s lines, but nothing of any great importance occurred.
J. A. JUDSON, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General Cavalry. HARRISONBURG, V. A., April 30, 1862.
* From return for the month of April, 1862.
MAY 1, 1862.—Skirmish on Camp Creek, in the Stone River Valley, W. Va.
No. 1.—Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U. 8. Army. No. 2.—Col. E, Parker Scammon, Twenty-third Ohio Infantry. No. 3,—Col. Walter H. Jenifer, Eighth Virginia Cavalry.
Report of Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U. 8. Army.