In March, 1863, a small party from companies A and D, under the command of Captain Bond and Lieutenant Dorsey, whilst picketing on the back road, below Fisher’s Hill, made a dash upon the enemy’s pickets in the vicinity of Kearnstown, killing and capturing a number of them. They were attacked in turn by a large body of cavalry, and compelled to retire precipitately, with the loss of two or three men. This daring act caused a general alarm in Winchester, and Milroy immediately dispatched the 12th and 13th Pennsylvania up the turnpike, running parallel with the back road, to cut the party off. The movement was, however, observed, and information of their approach communicated to General Jones, who, with a part of his command, moved forward to meet them. The enemy were encountered at the little village of Maurytown. The surprise was complete, and the rout that ensued was perhaps unparalleled in the history of the war. At one charge the enemy were scattered in every direction, and pursued to the very gates of Winchester, losing nearly three hundred men in killed, wounded, and captured.
In this affair the First Maryland bore itself with conspicuous gallantry, although but few of the men had ever before been under fire.
CHAPTER II.
For some time prior to the 21st of April extensive preparations had been going on in the command of General Jones for a move in some direction. These preparations were anxiously watched by the officers and men, for all were heartily sick of the camp, and were ready for any undertaking. Orders were at length given to cook two days’ rations, which made it evident that the long anticipated movement was at hand. On that day the forces of Jones (numbering three thousand five hundred men) were marshaled, and soon on the road to Moorefield. The roads were in a shocking condition, and the troops moved slowly, and after marching fifteen miles the command went into camp.
Next day the object of the expedition was made known. As had been surmised, it was intended to operate upon the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and to secure supplies from the rich and fertile valleys of West Virginia.
The Maryland Line accompanied the expedition—the infantry and artillery as far as Moorefield, and the cavalry the whole way.
On the third day, the command reached the vicinity of Moorefield, in the midst of a drenching rain, which continued throughout the night and the next day. In the morning, the several mountain streams in the vicinity of that place were found so swollen as to be almost impassable. By running great risk, however, the command reached the banks of the Potomac, which they found impossible to cross at that point. There was, therefore, no alternative but to move down to Petersburg, thirteen miles distant, and try another ford. The point was reached on the afternoon of the 24th, but even here it was found the attempt would be extremely hazardous. But General Jones was determined to proceed at every risk, and the men were ordered to plunge into the rapid stream.
A fearful scene then presented itself, and for some time baffled description. Hundreds of frightened steeds, and their no less frightened riders, were struggling in the dark, rapid waters; and, alas! more than one poor soldier and his gallant horse, that had borne him so faithfully, were swept away, and no more to be seen until the turbulent waters should have subsided and surrendered up their lifeless bodies.
The crossing was at length effected, and the command moved up the stream and went into camp within three miles of where it had started that morning, after having traveled a distance of twenty-six miles. The start was a bad one, but all hoped the end would prove more propitious.
Unincumbered with artillery, wagons, and infantry, the command started off at a rapid gait, but after marching a few miles, the 7th Virginia, which was in advance, suddenly came upon the enemy’s pickets. It was soon ascertained that the main body (numbering about one hundred and fifty men) was posted in a log school house, which completely commanded the road through Greenland Gap, over which Jones must necessarily pass. A flag of truce was sent forward, and a demand made for the surrender of the place, which was refused. An assault was then ordered, but as the troops could only move over the narrow road two abreast, it was repulsed with loss, Colonel Richard Dulaney, of the 7th Virginia, being among the wounded.