The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

1^6 THE MAINE BUGLE.
we reached the Potomac and crossed the following day near
Williamsport, Md. Thus ended a very successful retreat, in
that, the army succeeded in escaping from a superior force.
( To be continued^
NoTK.— ^The encounter with the enemy on the dirt road to the Front Royal pike was
the first real fight of the First Maine Cavalry, and a reference to some of the original
reports will lie of interest to members of that regiment. 'Ihe return of a detachment
of cavalry with two pieces of artillery is not mentioned in their history and it would he
an interesting (juestion to have the names of this cavalry and artillery known. The
United States official records show that Jackson, all of Ashby's cavalry, and most of
his own infantry advanced on this road to Middletown with Chew's battery and two
rified guns of Capt. Poague's battery. Had Jackson advanced towards Winchester on
the Front Rt)yal jiike he would have caught lianks with his army ensnared with a
wagon train; and had his cavalry in hand instead of near Middletown and Strasl)urg
looting a few army wagons and thus useless lo him. The following official reports will
show the events, as viewed by the parties at the time.
KEl'ORT OK LIEUT. COL. CALVIN S. DOUTY, FIRST M.'VI.NE CAVALRY, OK OI'KKATIONS MAY 24-
(U. S. Official Reports, Vol. XII., p. 575.)
Hdqrs. First Battalion, First Maine Ca\ai.ky,
Williamsport, Md., May 27th, 1862.
CiENERAL:—On Saturday morning last I proceeded to Middletown, and left my bag-
gage there according to orders. A detachment of cavalry with two pieces of artillery
had just returned from a reconnoissance on the road leading across to the Winchester
and Front Royal turnpike. They had seen nothing of the enemy. I immediately
started across, and struck what I at first took to be their pickets, but afterward proved
to be their advance guard. Shots were exchanged, and the enemy fell back. This
was about a mile and a half from the Front Royal pike. I here learned from a per-
son who had just come up from that direction that the enemy was in force upon the
road and moving across toward Middletown. I threw out skirmishers to the right and
left and awaited their movements, at the same time sending back intelligence of what
had happened to the signal officer at Middletown. Seeing no signs of the enemy,
after waiting an hour I fell back toward Providence church, leaving vedettes along the
road and small parties at a distance each side to look out for any flank movement of
the enemy. My object in so doing was to conceal my force and delay the enemy, in
order to save time for the baggage trains, knowing they had a large force of infantry,
which would render opposition on my ])art ineffectual.
At Providence church I halted my command, expecting to be reinforced frt)m Mid-
dletown. At about 12 o'clock, after waiting an hour or more, the most advanced
vedettes came in and reported the enemy's cavalry and infantry advancing. Others
coming in and confirming this statement I drew up my command in order of battle, to
deceive the enemy and gain time. Their advance guard soon came in sight, and halted
at a respectful distance. Their infantry soon came in sight, and also halted. I re-
mained in position, determined to hold them in check as long as possible, at the same
time sending intelligence of the condition of affairs to the signal ofticer, to be for-
warded to General Hanks.