Fearing Gen. Patterson’s strength, Gen. Johnston withdrew to Winchester, approximately 30 miles southwest of Harper’s Ferry on June 15th. Meanwhile, Col. Jackson’s 1st Brigade moved to Martinsburg, 20 miles northwest of Harper’s Ferry. Col. Jackson’s orders were “to feel out the enemy and to destroy the B&O (railroad) rolling stock it could lay its hands on”. 1 While at Martinsburg, Col. Jackson met up with Lt. Col. J.E.B. Stuart. On June 17th, Gen. Johnston advanced towards Martinsburg seeking higher ground better suited for battle.

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          Leaving Hagerstown, MD on June 30th, Gen. Patterson was intending to invade Virginia on two fronts. The first unit was to cross at Dam No. 4, while the second unit was to cross at Williamsport. Due to fording the river at the Dam No. 4 being difficult, all the Union troops crossed at Williamsport.

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          As Gen. Patterson was crossing the Potomac, the troops were “under the watchful eye” of Lt. Col. J.E.B. Stuart .2 Within five miles of crossing the river, Union troops skirmished with Confederate troops hiding in the trees. The Union troops began to retreat. Col. Jackson also started to withdraw as he was obeying orders which the Union troops mistook for retreating. 3 The Union troops started to charge the retreating Confederate troops. However, Capt. Pendleton fired a shot from one of his cannons. As an Episcopal minister, he yelled “Lord, have mercy on their souls.” 4

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          The evening of the skirmish, July 2nd. Gen. Johnston moved north to meet with Col. Jackson. They met at the next morning and encamped at Darkesville. Gen. Johnston waited for the enemy to attack, but after four days withdrew not wanting to face a larger force.  From their actions during this engagement, Col. Jackson and Lt. Col. Stuart were promoted to Brigadier General and Colonel, respectively.

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          The result of the skirmish was inconclusive due to the Confederates retreating under orders and the Union troops not moving forward to defeat the enemy.

1. Champ Clark. Decoying the Yanks Jackson’s Valley Campaign. The Civil War. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1984. p 35

2. Ibid, p 35

3. Ibid, p 36

4. Ibid, p 36