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Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood
July 18-19, 1863


Official Records of the War of the Rebellion
Series 1, Volume 27, part 3, pp. 748-49

Cherry Run, Va.,
July 22, 1863:12.30 p.m.

Major-General Meade:

I crossed the Potomac at this place with my force, about 6,000 strong:3,200 infantry, 2,500 cavalry, and three batteries:on the 15th and 16th instant, and occupied Hedgesville, Berkeley County, 7 miles west of Martinsburg. On Saturday and Sunday skirmished briskly with Hampton's brigade near Martinsburg. On Monday, Hill's and Ewell's corps moved from Bunker Hill to Martinsburg, and a strong cavalry force was sent through Mill's Gap into the Back Creek Valley to cut off my retreat. It therefore became necessary to fall back to this point, and recross the river.

I am ready to go forward again at any moment, and annoy and harass the flank and rear of the enemy; whenever I can do so without unnecessarily endangering my small command. Will you please keep me advised of your movements and whereabouts, so that I can act in concert with and subordinate to your movements?

B. F. Kelley,
Brigadier-General


Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: July 1863

West Virginia Archives and History