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190 Series I Volume XXXVII-I Serial 70 - Monocacy Part I

Page 190 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter XLIX.


Numbers 5. Abstract from Itinerary of the Reserve Division, Department of West Virginia, commanded by Brigadier General Benjamin F. Kelley.*

July 4.-About 800 of the enemy, with three pieces of artillery, attacked the garrison at South Branch bridge, consisting of one company of the One hundred and fifty-third Regiment Ohio National Guard, in the block-house, and a detachment of the Sixth West Virginia Infantry, in iron-clad cars. After six hours' fighting they were repulsed with loss of 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, and 6 men killed, and 1 lieutenant and 14 men wounded. the loss sustained by the garrison consisted of 2 men wounded slightly and 2 captured. A shell from the enemy's guns entered a port-hole of the iron-clad, exploded, setting fire to the car, which was entirely consumed.

July 6.-The enemy in small force made an attack upon the garrison at Sir John's Run, consisting of fifty-five men of the One hundred and fifty-third Regiment Ohio National Guard, who, with the assistance of the iron-clad cars, Captain P. B. Petrie, Second Regiment Potomac Home Brigade Volunteers, commanding, repulsed them and drove them off with loss of 2 men killed and several wounded; no casualties in the garrison or iron-clads. A scout of seventy-three men of One hundred and fifty-third regiment Ohio National Guard, in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Leeds, of that regiment, started from Paw Paw Station, headquarters of the regiment, and were attacked [July 3] by the enemy, under General Imboden, in North Run Valley, and Lieutenant-Colonel Leeds, Captain Rathbone, and 38 enlisted men were captured and Lieutenant Frazier killed.

July 31.-Enemy, consisting of General McCausland's and Bradley T. Johnson's commands, are reported advancing from Hancock upon the post of Cumberland, Md., via National turnpike.

August 1.-At 4 p. m. the enemy, under command of Generals McCausland and Bradley T. Johnson, attacked the command at Cumberland, under General Kelley. A fight ensued two miles east of town, on the Baltimore pike, lasting until 8 p. m. At 11 p. m. the enemy retreated toward Old Town, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands, and abandoned two caissons, several carriages, and a large quantity of ammunition. Our loss was 1 mortally and 1 slightly wounded; enemy's loss, 8 killed and 30 wounded.

August 2.-McCausland and Johnson attacked Colonel Stough, One hundred and fifty-third Ohio National Guard, at Green Spring Run. After a severe fight, in which the engine attached to the iron-clads was disabled by a shot through the boiler, Colonel Stough was compelled to surrender the block-house, with 5 officers and 77 men. In this fight we lost 2 killed and 3 wounded, with 10 missing; the enemy lost 20 to 25 killed, and 40 to 50 wounded. The fight lasted six hours and a half. Our men who taken prisoners were paroled. The enemy moved off toward Springfield, in Hampshire County, W. Va.

August 3.-Scouts report the enemy in camp at Springfield, reported to be awaiting re-enforcements for a renewed attack on Cumberland.

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*For returns for July and August.

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Page 190 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter XLIX.