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CHAPTER II.

For some time prior to April 21. 1863. the camp was full of rumors of a
move in some direction, and on that day General William E. Jones marshaled his
forces and started from Laccy's Springs upon his celebrated raid into West
Virginia. Leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Funsten in command of the cavalry whose
horses were not deemed sufficiently strong to undergo the trip, General Jones
moved in the direction of Moorefield. Hardy County, with quite a large force of
cavalry, the Second Maryland Infantry, the Baltimore Light Artillery and
Chew's battery.

The morning upon which the start was made was all that could have been
desired, but before many hours the rain began to fall in torrents, and but fifteen
miles were made that day. The weather continued bad during the whole march
to Moorefield, which was reached on the third day.

Here General Jones determined to send his infantry and artillery back to the
Valley, as he found that they would embarrass his movements.

Pressing on, then, with his cavalry the first obstacle he encountered was the
south branch of the Potomac, the waters of which he found very high and rapid,
which compelled him to make a detour by Petersburg to get over. Here the ford
was found rough and dangerous from the swiftness of the stream, and in making
the passage several men and horses of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry were drowned.

Contrary to his information, General Jones found the pass at Greenland
occupied by the enemy. Finding a loss of time must be incurred by attempting to
turn this post, and fearing his plans might in the meantime be discovered. General
Jones determined to attempt a surprise, and. failing in this, to carry the place by
storm. Colonel Dulany, with the Seventh Virginia Cavalry, charged it gallantly,
but failed to prevent the garrison from occupying a church building which
completely defended the pass. In this assault Colonel Dulany had his horse killed
and was himself wounded through the arm. Upon the repulse of the Seventh,
Major Brown, of the First Maryland, sent Lieutenant Adolphus Cook with Com-
pany B out upon the New Creek road to guard against a surprise, and Companies
E, Captain W. I. Rasin, and D, Lieutenant W. H. B. Dorsey commanding, were
dismounted to open fire with their long-range guns upon the church. This they
did, but with little effect, and being deceived by the flag of truce, sent by the
commanding General, in the hands of one of the prisoners captured on the picket,
they rushed upon the house, thinking the enemy had surrendered, but were unde-
ceived when a well-directed volley was poured into them at very short range. By
this unfortunate mistake Private Swamley was killed and Private Charles Lambden