SERVICE

OCTOBER 26, 1861. - Action at Romney, West Virginia.


Report of Brigadier General Benjamin F. Kelley, U.S. Army, and congratulatory message from General Scott.


CAMP KEYS, ROMNEY, VA., October 28, 1861.


GENERAL: In obedience to your order by telegram of the 24th instant, I proceeded without delay to concentrate the available forces of my command on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at New Creek Station, 25 miles west of Cumberland, and distant from this point


page379 CHAP.XIV.] ACTION AT ROMNEY, W. VA.


26 miles. This force consisted of a portion of the Seventh, one company each of the Third and Fourth Virginia Infantry, nine companies of the Eighth Ohio, and Ordnance Sergeant Nixon and 10 men, who had gallantly volunteered for the occasion, with a 6-pounder gun. These troops left New Creek Station at 12 o'clock at night of Friday, the 25th instant, and were joined by nine companies of the Fourth Ohio Infantry, from Camp Pendleton, Md., with a detachment of infantry who had volunteered to man two guns-one at 12, the other a 6-pounder. The whole force was concentrated near the junction of the New Creek and Northwestern roads on the morning of Saturday, the 26th, and moved forward over the Northwestern road towards this point in the following order, viz; The Ringgold Cavalry, under Captain Keys, proceed the column, for the purpose of watching the movements of the enemy. The Fourth Ohio Infantry under command of Colonel Mason, Lieutenant-Colonel Cantwell, and Major Godman, took the right of the column. Lieutenant-Colonel Cantwell, having a day or two before resigned his commission, gallantly volunteered to accompany the expedition.

The Seventh and two companies of the Third and Fourth Virginia Infantry followed the Fourth Ohio, under command of Lieutenant Colonel J.G. Kelley, and Major C.E. SwearinJanuary The Eighth Ohio, under command of Colonel Depuy and assistant adjutant-general, Benjamin F. Hawkes. Then followed the artillery, under command of Lieutenant Jenks and Ordnance Sergeant Nixon, Captain McGee's cavalry bringing up the rear.

Colonel Johns' regiment, of the Maryland Brigade, was ordered to move from the mouth of Patterson's Creek, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, at 12 o'clock at night, by way of Frankfort and Springfield, and enter the town on its eastern border, and occupy the Winchester road at 3 o'clock p.m., the hour at which I was to attack them in front. The object of this movement was to prevent their retreat on Winchester. I am sorry to say that this portion of my plan was, unfortunately, not carried out, Colonel Johns having been repulsed at the Wire Bridge, 7 miles below this point, and was therefore unable to get into position..

At Patterson's Creek, 14 miles west of this point, the troops were halted, took dinner, and rested. At 12 o'clock m. we resumed our march in the same order. At 2.15 p.m. when within 6 miles of Romney, the enemy opened fire upon the head of our column, when our artillery was ordered forward and replied. We then continued our march, with the artillery in front, to the mouth of Mechanicsburg Gap, distant 3 miles from Romney, a position the natural strength of which is unsurpassed by any other in the country. Skirmishers having been thrown out on the right and left, the column was moved through the gap, without, however, receiving a shot. When the head of the column emerged from the pass, it was found that the artillery of the enemy was strongly posted on the east side of the river, in a cemetery lot, on an eminence commanding the entire western approaches to the town, and the infantry and dismounted cavalry occupied entrenchments on the heights, commanding the bridge and the ford. Our artillery was then ordered to open fire upon them, which was promptly replied to by the rebels, and for about an hour a severe cannonade took place between the artillery. Lieutenant Jenks, of Daum's battery, commanding displayed commendable courage and gallantry, and evinced consummate skill in the handing of his guns.

Finding we could not silence their guns, the order was given for the whole column of infantry to move forward and charge through the bridge and to attack the enemy in their entrenchments. At the same


page380 OPERATIONS IN MD., N. VA., AND W. VA., [CHAP.XIV.]

time the cavalry, under Captains Keys and McGee, were ordered to charge through the ford and under the bridge, which was most gallantly executed. The enemy, after firing a few rounds, now gave way and fled from their works; the infantry throwing down their arms and fleeing to the woods and mountains and dispersing. The cavalry and artillery retreated through the town towards Winchester, pursued by our cavalry. They attempted to rally and make a stand at the east end of the town, but the impetuous charge of the cavalry and the approach of the infantry on "double-quick" caused them to retreat, without firing a gun up the Winchester road and through a mountain gap similar to the one west of town, where they were pursued by the cavalry, and all their artillery and baggage trains captured. The enemy were so hard pressed that they had not time to discharge or spike their pieces, which fell into our hands all loaded. About 300 stand of small arms, a large quantity of ammunition, their camp equipage, entire baggage train, with about 100 horses and mules, fell into our hands.

The officers and men of my command all displayed great coolness and courage under fire. Where all behaved so well it would seem invidious to make particular mention of individual cases. I must be pardoned, however in calling the attention of the country to the brilliant charges of the cavalry under Captains Keys and McGee. I venture to say they are unsurpassed by any other in the annals of American warfare. As a compliment to Captain Keys, the senior officer, for his gallant conduct, I have named my camp at this point Camp Keys.

The staff officers all discharged their duty with bravery and coolness; and I return my sincere thanks to my assistant adjutant-general, Benjamin F. Hawkes, for his untiring energy and watchfulness during the march, and for his gallant conduct in the action. Our loss was only 1 killed and about 20 wounded. It seems to be almost a miracle that our loss should be so small, considering that we had to advance across a causeway and over a bridge in the face of the enemy's entrenchments. Among the wounded was Dr. Benjamin Tappan, surgeon of the Eighth Ohio, who was struck by a piece of a shell.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

B.F. KELLEY,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.


Lieutenant General WINFIELD SCOTT, Washington. D.C.



HEADQUARTERS ARMY,
Washington, October 30, 1861.


Brigadier-General KELLEY, U.S.A. Romney, Va.:

You late movement upon and signal victory at Romney do you great honor in the opinion of the President and of Lieutenant-General Scott. You shall be re-enforced as soon as practicable. In the mean time, if necessary,call for any troops at Cumberland of New Creek.

By command:

E.D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

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