Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/104

92 found it occupied by a regiment of the enemy, who demanded of him a surrender, and to which demand he replied handsomely by driving them beyond the hill with slight loss to himself and considerable, he thinks, to the enemy.

This position I occupied until informed by the Major-General that he had taken up a position some mile or more in the rear, and under orders from him, withdrew my troops and occupied this position, holding, with skirmishers, a branch some half a mile in front of the last position.

I withdrew without loss, and in good order, the enemy not pursuing with much vigor, but moved a small force around to the left, which came in contact with some skirmishers placed by Major-General Rodes to protect my rear. Having received orders to withdraw, I did so without being pressed by the enemy, and camped near Waynesboro' that night; the following day we marched upon Hagerstown and encamped within two miles of the town.

On the 15th, the cavalry having reported the enemy as attempting to cross the "Antietam" by the dirt-road that led to Boonesborough, I was ordered to strengthen my pickets on that road, and in conjunction with Robertson's cavalry brigade to prevent the crossing.

It was afterwards ascertained to be a small force of the enemy's cavalry, which was easily driven by cavalry skirmishers supported by a line of infantry, commanded by Captain London, Thirty-second regiment. About night we marched through town, taking the "Clear spring" road and went into line of battle the following morning, on the left of the army, some two miles from town.

This position we occupied until the night of the 13th, when we recrossed the Potomac and I encamped some mile and a half beyond "Falling Waters"; the next day we marched upon Martinsburg, which place we reached on the 15th. The next morning we took up the line of march for Darkesville, near which place we remained until the 20th, when we returned to Martinsburg, where we rested during the night. The next day we passed through the town and commenced tearing up the railroad track some two miles from town. Here we received orders to return to Darkesville, at which place, in consequence of sickness, I turned over the command to Colonel Brabble.

, Brigadier-General.