[July ? 1861]
[Col. Charles J. Biddle]
The enemy’s cavalry rode into the village boldly and had commenced sacking it and hunting for the Union men, whom the news of our approach had brought from their hiding places in the mountain, when I sent out a squad with the rifles which I borrowed from Captain Kesley of Cumberland, to open a fire on their right flank. They had first murdered Kelly, a youth from Cumberland, when our fire compelled them to form and make a dash at my quarters, where they were confident, as they were assured by the secessionists of the town, they would effect a complete surprise. They came up in fine order, but broke and ran on receiving a fire which was reserved till they were ready to dismount. Lieutenant Boughton of the 3d Virginia cavalry regiment, and privates Bosley and Miller, fell at the first volley mortally wounded. A number were wounded who died along the road by which they effected their retreat. The number of the wounded has not been ascertained. The rebel infantry who were drawn up to cut off our retreat, did not venture near enough to take any serious part in the engagement, but fled with the cavalry.
[Lt. Col. Thomas L. Kane]
Sources
Sypher, Josiah R. History of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. Lancaster: Elias Barr & Co., 1865.
Spirit of '61 