Richmond Daily Dispatch
July 8, 1861
The engagement near Martinsburg!
additional particulars!
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Buckler’s Town, Berkeley Co., Va., July 3d, 1861.
On yesterday, Col. Jackson’s Brigade of Virginia forces were advanced in the direction of Falling Waters, to meet the enemy, who were reported to be advancing from Williamsport, on the Virginia side of the river, in considerable numbers. Our brigade was then encamped at Camp Stephens, 4 miles North of Martinsburg, and set forward in great haste immediately after breakfast. After advancing about a mile, we halted, and the Augusta Regiment, under Col. Harper, accompanied by one six-pounder of the Rockbridge Artillery, proceeded, under the command of Col. Jackson in person, to meet the enemy and try their strength. They had proceeded a mile and a half when the enemy appeared, drawn up in front of a large tract of woods and on a hill. The fight was brought on by the West Augusta Guards, (Captain Waters,) and a part of Capt. Letcher’s Rockbridge Rifles, acting as skirmishers, under command of Major Baylor, who drove back the skirmishers of the enemy three times.
The firing was pretty brisk for ten or fifteen minutes. The enemy moved forward in good style, and did some execution in our ranks; but, so far as our officers could judge, and as stated by prisoners, the loss on the side of the United States men far exceeded ours. We lost three men killed and had about six or eight slightly wounded. None of our officers were hurt, though they were all at their posts, and displayed throughout great coolness and courage. Col. Harper and Lieut. Col. Harman were where their duty called them, in command of the main body, and succeeded in driving back the main body of the enemy : acting not unworthily of men who had seen service in Mexico. Major Baylor, who was at the head of the troops first engaged, nobly sustained the character ascribed to him by the men whom he formerly commanded as Colonel. The 6-pounder was fired six times, and is supposed to have done good execution. The enemy was found to be far too numerous for our forces, and were fast endeavoring to outflank and surround us; but Col. Jackson was not to be so outdone, and after doing the Yankees as much damage as was possible, drew off the troops engaged in good order. The fortunate gunners who were engaged at the guns of Captain Pendleton’s Artillery, rejoined their company without loss, and the whole brigade retreated in good order, and part of the time in view of the enemy’s troops, which were thrown out on the left of their main body with a view to surrounding us. We encamped three miles southward from Martinsburg last night, and fell back to this place, (three miles further,) where we have been joined by a larger force, under command of Gen. Johnston. We now hope to meet the enemy to-day or to-morrow, on ground of their own selection, if they desire it.
X.