Series 1, Volume 27, part 2, p. 303
Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
July 17, 1863.
General: General Fitz. Lee attacked the enemy last evening near Kearneysville, and drove them to within a mile of Shepherdstown, when night put an end to the contest. The enemy, under cover of darkness, retired, taking the Charlestown road, leaving many of their wounded in Shepherdstown and the vicinity, and their dead on the field. Their loss is reported very heavy. The enemy's force is stated to have been Gregg's division, General Gregg commanding in person. I regret to state that Col. James H. Drake, of the First Virginia Cavalry, was mortally wounded in a charge of his regiment.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee,
General.
General S. Cooper,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: July 1863