Wheeling Daily Intelligencer
July 4, 1864
The Recent Raid on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. - The object of the recent raid upon the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, at Duffield's Station, by a detachment of Mosby's guerrillas, still remains a mystery. The rebel force is variously estimated at from two to five hundred and it is said by some that they had four pieces of artillery. They captured a few federal soldiers stationed at Duffield's and burnt their camp equipage, but left the railroad undisturbed. They came from Loudon county, and after remaining about five house returned in the same direction. The movement is a perfect mystery to the military authorities.
Wheeling Daily Intelligencer
July 2, 1864
On Thursday morning a gang of about one hundred rebels made their appearance at Duffield's Station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. They remaining but a short time and left without doing any damage. The trains on the road were detained but a short time.
Official Records
Series 1, Volume 37, Part 2
pp. 357-358
JUNE 29, 1864. - Skirmishes at Charlestown and Duffield's Station, W. Va.
REPORTS.
No. 1.
Report of Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel, U. S. Army, commanding Reserve Division, Department of West Virginia.
MARTINSBURG, W. VA., June 30, 1864.
(Received 6.15 p. m.)
Yesterday at 1 p. m. the enemy, 500 cavalry, with two guns, broke through our lines at Charlestown. After a skirmish with our cavalry attacked a company of infantry at Duffield's Station, capturing about 25 men. They destroyed a storehouse and the telegraph wires, but did not damage the railroad, as our troops moved promptly against them from Martinsburg, Smithfield, and Harper's Ferry. The enemy escaped across the Shenandoah into Loudoun County by Berry's Ferry.
F. SIGEL,
Major-General.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY.
No. 2.
Report of Brig. Gen. Max Weber, U. S. Army, commanding at Harper's Ferry.
HEADQUARTERS,
Harper's Ferry, W. Va., June 30, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 29th instant I received reliable information to the effect that Mosby with a considerable force was in the vicinity of Charlestown, W. Va., and reported the fact by telegraph to division headquarters at 10.30 a. m. Between 1 and 2 p. m. the wires between this post and Martinsburg were cut and communication ceased. About 3 o'clock an attack was made upon my picket-line toward Charlestown, and during the afternoon there was heavy skirmishing along my whole line of pickets on that front. Later in the day a report was received from the commandant of the forces at Duffield's Station that he was attacked by superior numbers of the enemy at that point and calling for re-enforcements. I at once sent 50 cavalry toward Duffield's to feel the enemy and watch their movements, and 300 infantry were ordered to that point. Subsequently information was received that the enemy had routed our men; had plundered and burned the camp, stores, and store-houses at Duffield's; had retired without doing further damage, and moved in the direction of Key's Ford, intending to cross there. I sent the 300 infantry at once to Key's Ford, where they remained until 7 this a. m., when they returned without seeing anything of the enemy. Our loss as nearly as can be now ascertained is 38 in killed, wounded, and missing. The force of the enemy was not far from 400 men, with two pieces of artillery. From all the reports received it appears that the force at Duffield's had not even a picket out, were surprised, and consequently retired with hardly a show of resistance. The matter will be carefully investigated. Allow me once more to express the opinion that a permanent force of good cavalry are necessary at this point, as the enemy are constantly crossing and recrossing near here, and from Harper's Ferry cavalry can act with promptness and effect.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
MAX WEBER, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
Maj. T. A. MEYSENBURG,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
pp. 692-695
HEADQUARTERS,
Harpers Ferry, June 29, 1864 - 10.30 a. m.
Maj. T. A. MEYSENBURG,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
I have reliable information that Mosby was in Charlestown this morning, and was there during the night. He has a considerable force near by. I received a dispatch from Washington last night, that a cavalry force was sent out to Leesburg, also one went from Point of Rocks, Md., to join the force from Washington, to-day. If you can send out a cavalry force to Charlestown to-day, and drive Mosby out and across the Shenandoah, I will telegraph to Washington to have a courier sent to Leesburg with the information, and have the force move toward the Shenandoah that Mosby may be headed off and perhaps captured. Please answer immediately.
MAX WEBER,
Brigadier- General.
BALTIMORE, June 29, 1864.
(Received 7.55 p. m.)
General MAX WEBER:
Our mail train east passed Sir John's Run about 1 this p. m., and had not arrived at Harper's Ferry at 7. It is reported that the enemy have appeared at Duffield's, and it is possible our trains may have been attacked. Can you inform us what are the facts? Is there a considerable force? Will the road be clear to-night for our express train west? I trust your arrangements are such that you will succeed in capturing the party. Our telegraphic communication west of Harper's Ferry was broken at 2 this p. m. We are, therefore, without later advices. Have you heard from Martinsburg since that hour? Oblige us by giving us as full information as practicable, so that we may give the requisite directions for working the road east and west.
J. W. GARRETT,
President Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
POINT OF ROCKS, June 29, 1864 - 10.30 p. m.
Lieut. S. F. ADAMS,
Aide-de-Camp:
Capt. D. M. Keyes is here in camp. He and Colonel Lowell were at Leesburg to-day. Did not hear anything of Mosby. We are on the lookout to-night for the enemy. All is quiet up to this hour.
R. C. BAMFORD,
Captain, &c.
HARPER'S FERRY, W. VA., June 29, 1864.
(Received 8.30 p. m.)
Maj. THOMAS T. ECKERT,
Washington, D. C.:
Gilmor attacked our forces at Duffield's Station to-day at about 3 p. m.; cut the wires; no communication west. Cipher to General Hunter here yet.
G. J. LAWRENCE.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY,
Bolivar Heights, June 29, 1864.
Capt. H. M. BURLEIGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report to you that this morning Lieutenant Lewis, Company B, of the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and three men started out to hunt some lost horses, and in the vicinity of Duffield's were attacked, and the lieutenant and 1 man are supposed to be captured; the other two escaped toward Kearneysville. After the rebels left Duffield's, Sergeant Rhodes, of the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, returned to Duffield's, and states that all the damage done there was the robbing of the store, and the burning of the shanties belonging to the infantry at that post, who were all captured. He did not see that the railroad was injured in the least.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
L. B. PIERCE,
Colonel, Commanding.
KEARNEYSVILLE, W. VA., June 29, 1864 - 7.30 p. m.
Major MEYSENBURG,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
An escaped prisoner from Duffield's reports that from 500 to 800 rebel cavalry and infantry made their appearance there at about 1 this p. m., and captured the place. They have a battery of at least four guns. Mosby is in command. Nothing has been heard of them, except that about 4 p. m. railroad hands came in on hand-car and reported guns in position at Browns Crossing.
Very respectfully,
C. H. GATCH,
Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding at Kearneysville.
KEARNEYSVILLE, June 29, 1864.
Major MEYSENBURG,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
The cavalry from Martinsburg has not arrived yet (11 p. m.). All quiet here up to this time.
C. H. GATCH,
Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding at Kearneysville.
KEARNEYSVILLE, June 29, 1864 - 12 p. m.
Maj. T. A. MEYSENBURG,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
All quiet here. No movements of enemy to report. My command is on the alert. No cavalry has yet arrived from Martinsburg. The courier by whom I send this is here by accident. Unless cavalry arrives, will have no means of sending other dispatches.
Very respectfully,
C. H. GATCH,
Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding at Kearneysville.
CAMDEN STATION, Baltimore, Md., June 29, 1864.
(Received 1 a. m.)
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
On my return at 7 p. m. I found our telegraph line had been broken since 2 p. m.; that our east-bound trains due at Harper's Ferry had not been heard from for some hours, and that it was stated that the enemy had appeared in force at Duffield's, six miles west of Harper's Ferry. I immediately telegraphed to Colonel Weber for information. I have received the following replies:
HARPERS FERRY, June 29, 1864 - 9.06 p. m.
J. W. GARRETT,
President:
The enemy appeared in force at Duffield's about 1 o'clock to-day, and attacked our troops stationed there. Their intention was evidently to capture the train due at that hour, but fortunately late. The wires were cut, and we have no communication with Martinsburg. The rebels appeared under protection of a flag of truce. I sent a force at once to Duffield's by road, and expect hourly a report from them. As soon as received, I can send you information regarding the state of the road, and whether or not it will be clear for your trains west. At the same time an attack was made upon our picket-lines at this place, and we have had heavy skirmishing along our whole line. You express a hope that I may capture the party, but will not be surprised that I answer I fear not, when I tell you that my whole force consists of 108 cavalrymen; the forces of the enemy are between 500 and 600.
MAX WEBER,
Brigadier-General.
HARPERS FERRY, June 29, 1864 - 9.09 p. m.
PRESIDENT BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD:
The train is all right. It was stopped two miles above Duffield's, and returned to Martinsburg. The track is clear, and the enemy did no damage, save plundering the store and burning the camp and store-houses at Duffield's. You can send your trains east and west. The enemy were provided with three field-pieces. General Sigel has sent a force in pursuit. No telegraphic communication yet with Martinsburg.
MAX WEBER,
Brigadier-General.
I have ordered the telegraph lines to be restored at once. I have sent additional workmen by our express to-night. I find from various quarters statements of large forces in the Valley. Breckinridge and Ewell are reported moving up. I am satisfied the operations and designs of the enemy in the Valley demand the greatest vigilance and attention.
J. W. GARRETT,
President.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: June 1864