Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/533

Rh, advancing by way of Smithfield, and went on to the Potomac at Williamsport, by way of Martinsburg, where they had an artillery duel with the enemy across the river, the next day. During the Kearneysville combat, Early sent Gordon's division around to the Federal flank, where that incomparable fighter and his fighting division made valorous and telling charges, in one of which Gordon was wounded in the face, by a saber slash.

On the 26th the army marched back to Leetown, with Ramseur in advance. The cavalry marched to Shepherdstown, after its artillery engagement at Williamsport. In the afternoon, the Federals from Harper's Ferry made an attack on Anderson's comparatively small force at Charlestown, which he repulsed. On the 27th the army marched to its old camps at Bunker Hill; Rodes by way of "The Bower," and Ramseur by way of Smithfield. Anderson fell back from Charlestown, by way of Smithfield and Brucetown, to Stephenson's. The cavalry that had been left at Charlestown retired to Smithfield, but was ordered back to hold its position in front of Charlestown. On the 28th the enemy's cavalry attacked Early's and compelled it to cross the Opequon. After a brisk engagement at Smithfield, Fitz Lee retired toward Brucetown, and Lomax toward Bunker Hill, thus allowing the enemy to occupy Smithfield, in the vicinity where they burned barns and houses. To stop this vandalism, Ramseur was advanced and crossed the Opequon, driving in the Federal cavalry; and Early's infantry, aided by sharp artillery practice, drove the Federals back across the Opequon, and from some rude works which they had constructed in front of Smithfield, and then returned to camp, leaving the cavalry behind. These the enemy again engaged in the afternoon and drove them back across the Opequon. McCausland advanced videttes on Gordon's right, from his position at Beeson's ford. Quiet prevailed on the 30th; but the enemy made some demonstrations along the Opequon on the 31st, which were met by the cavalry. On that day Anderson moved back to near Winchester, and Rodes marched to Martinsburg and back, on a reconnoissance.

Quiet prevailed September 1st, but on the 2d the enemy was reported as moving in force from Harper's Ferry and Charlestown toward Berryville. Early marched