Mobile Register
June 22, 1861
Page 2
LATEST: BY TELEGRAPH
[From
Our special correspondent]
Richmond,
June 21, 1861
I
hasten to dispatch to you the following authentic intelligence, just received
in this city:
Gordonsville,
June 21—An engagement occurred at 5 o’clock in the morning of the 19th,
at New Creek Depot, eighteen miles west of Cumberland, on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, the force on our side comprising two companies of the 18th
Virginia regiment, under Col. Vaughan, of the Tennessee Volunteers. The enemy’s force, which showed itself in
sight of our troops, amounted to about two hundred and fifty men.
The
enemy fired a few random shots and broke and fled in every direction. Several of them were killed, but what number
is not known. One person was wounded and
none killed on our side.
Our
forces captured two guns and a stand of colors.
Gen.
Cadwallader, commanding the enemy’s forces, was
approaching Harper’s Ferry, but has now fallen back beyond Hagerstown.
Our
troops, with four or five hundred Marylanders, again hold Harper’s Ferry.
Gen.
Johnston is at Winchester.
Two
prisoners of war taken at Williamsport go to Richmond to-day in charge of Col.
Thomas, of the Maryland volunteers, who carries an official report of the above
engagement
Johnston’s
position at Winchester commands the whole valley.
His
admirable strategic movement from Harper’s Ferry toward Martinsburg, was an
advance to meet the enemy and not a retreat.
His march was nearly due North [see map]—to meet the enemy who were
approaching by Williamsport and Martinsburg.
He
also detached a portion of his force to meet the other column of the enemy,
thus checkmating the Federal advance in both directions.
The
whole valley may now be considered safe and secure for us.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
