June 6, 1862
Reopening of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway.:On last Monday night Gen. D. S. Miles, in command of the Railway Brigade, stationed at Harper's Ferry, arranged a reconnoitering party, composed of several companies of regular infantry, with four pieces of artillery, and proceeded from Harper's Ferry along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway to Martinsburg, and from thence to Sir John's Run. Gen. Miles reported no enemy in sight, and the railway opened for the repairs needed. The injuries to the road and bridges are not of a serious nature. The following named bridges were only partially burnt: the Opequan and the Pillar, both between Harper's Ferry and Martinsburg, and the Back Creek bridge, ten miles west of Martinsburg. The track was not disturbed. Persons residing along the side of the road state that the Confederates expressed no desire to injure the road to any serious extent, only sufficient to prevent engines and cars from passing over the bridges while they (the Confederates) were in possession of Martinsburg.
Mr. Wilson, roadmaster-in-chief, and Mr. W. C. Quincy, assistant roadmaster, have each a large force of workmen under them making the necessary repairs, and the line will probably be restored to its previous perfect condition by this evening, and if so, the road will be re-opened on Saturday next, and passenger and freight trains are expected to be fully renewed on that day, or by Monday morning at furthest. On Tuesday evening Gen. Miles, with a considerable force, also made a reconnaissance on the railway from Harper's Ferry to Winchester, but the result of his investigations are not known. It is not believed, however, that that railway has been much injured. A large force of workmen are being sent thither to make the necessary repairs. The railway will now probably be brought into extensive use for the purpose of supplying the army said to be now occupying the Valley of Virginia. The entire railway telegraph line between Baltimore and Wheeling was again in operation at noon on Tuesday last. Mr. C. Westbrook, the Superintendent of the line, was but ten hours, with a small force, making the necessary repairs, the damage was of such a trifling character.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: June 1862