Retracing his steps to Virginia by way of Cumberland, McCausland arrived at that place late in the afternoon of the next day, and found his situation a critical one. Kelly with a large force was in his front, strongly posted behind breastworks, and Averill was rapidly coming up in rear, and to avoid the former he was compelled to move to the left and take a different road from the one he had intended; but as there was not a man in his command who knew the country, this was not to be easily accomplished. After some delay, Col. Harry Gilmor settled the question by seizing a Union man who was familiar with the different roads and fords, and with a cocked revolver at his head compelled him to pilot the way. In the night, four miles from Cumberland, McCausland’s advance encountered the enemy, who were, after a brisk skirmish, driven back, when McCausland determined to await the morning to ascertain his position.
At the dawn of day the enemy was discovered in line behind the crest of a range of hills between the canal and river, when McNulty was ordered to post his guns, and open the fight, whilst the cavalry dismounted and crossed the canal on a bridge hastily constructed by Captain Welsh of the First Maryland Cavalry, when the enemy retired. But a more formidable obstacle then presented itself in the shape of an iron-clad battery mounted on an engine upon the railroad, whilst the cars to which it was attached were loop-holed for musketry, and the banks of the railroad, which formed an excellent breastwork, was lined with infantry. A very strong block house that commanded every approach to the ford, was also found strongly garrisoned.
Colonel Harry Gilmor was at once ordered to carry the ford, which he attempted in most gallant style, but was unable to reach the opposite bank owing to the dreadful enfilading fire opened upon him.
Lieutenant McNulty was then directed to take position with his pieces, and open on the iron-clad. Quickly moving his guns to an open field, and but two hundred yards from the enemy, he unlimbered at this much exposed point, and called upon his best gunner, Geo. McElwee, to bring his piece to bear upon the formidable looking mass of iron before him. The brave fellow despite the shower of bullets to which he was exposed, coolly sighted his piece and fired, and when the smoke cleared away McNulty had the satisfaction of seeing the huge monster enveloped in steam, for the shot directed by the unerring aim of McElwee had pierced the boiler, and it lay a helpless wreck upon the track. His next shot was as effective, and entered one of the portholes, dismounting the guns and scattering death and destruction around, when the enemy along the bank broke and fled.
But there was yet the block house to dispose of before the command could resume its retreat, and minutes were becoming precious. An hour was consumed in discussing the matter before anything definite was determined upon, when General Johnson suggested that an attempt be made to get a piece of the artillery across the river. The suggestion was instantly adopted, and under cover of the bank, though subjected to a severe fire, the piece was started over in a full run, and unlimbered in the river, and taken to its bank by hand, when, at the instant, a demand for the surrender of the block house was complied with, and McCausland was safe.
At Moorefield, soon after, McCausland was surprised in camp by Averill, when thirteen men of the Baltimore Light Artillery were sabred and captured at their guns in endeavoring to load them, and two pieces were lost.
After this affair the remnant of the battery was ordered to the vicinity of New Market, in the Valley of Virginia, to be reorganized and equipped. Here the number of the battery was considerably increased by the transfer of Marylanders who had served three years in Fort Sumter, and also by men from Major Brethod’s old battery. Horses and guns were furnished from the reserve artillery, and in a short time Lieutenant McNulty (who had succeeded to the command) found himself in a condition to take the field.
Sheridan was about this time rapidly advancing towards Staunton, and Early, with a small force, had fallen back to Brown’s Gap, in the Blue Ridge. McNulty was at once ordered to join him at Port Republic, which he was enabled to do, by making a detour, on the 27th of September. From Port Republic Early moved towards Waynesboro’, where the head of his column met that of Sheridan, and after a desperate fight drove him back up the Valley, Early pursuing.
The scenes which these brave men were compelled to witness as they pressed on after the brutal Sheridan and his band of incendiaries were appalling, indeed. Hundreds of poor, helpless women and children were encountered on the road, fleeing to a place of refuge, but knew not where to find it, for other homes as well as their own had been plied with the incendiaries’ torch. Pitiously they plead for protection and a morsel of food from the rough soldiers, but, alas, it was not within their power to afford them either. Night after night the heavens were illumined by the light of burning farmhouses, barns, mills, &c., and day after day was made dark by the dense smoke that filled the heavens. Surely, Grant and his minion Sheridan will be long remembered by the people of the Valley of Virginia, and their names associated by them and their posterity with all that is bad, brutal and vindictive.
Slight skirmishing ensued between the pursued and pursuers until the former reached Fisher’s Hill, where they met their infantry, when Lomax, in command of the cavalry, retired to the vicinity of Woodstock. At daylight next morning, the 8th of October, Lomax and Rosser moved to attack the enemy who had advanced to Maurytown. Rosser was ordered to attack on the left, and Lomax took the right, forming his troops on both sides of the Valley pike. The Baltimore Light Artillery, under Lieutenant McNulty, was stationed on an eminence north of the town. The fight soon began with great fury, Lomax and Rosser attacking simultaneously, and the enemy were driven back some distance. Heavy reinforcements coming to the support of the enemy, he reformed his broken columns, and the fight was waged with redoubled fury. Towards noon Rosser, on the left, was overwhelmed, and soon after the heavy columns massed in front of Lomax, attacked furiously, and drove that General back in the utmost confusion.