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On the 6th the whole force recrossed the Potomac at Williamsport. and moved towards
Martinsburg; and on the 7th we returned to Bunker Hill.

On the 30TH of July McCausland reached Chambersburg, and made the demand as
directed, reading to such of the authorities as presented themselves the paper sent by me.
The demand was not complied with, the people stating that they were not afraid of having
their town burned, and that a Federal force was approaching. The policy pursued by our
army on former occasions had been so lenient that they did not suppose the threat was in
earnest this time, and they hoped for speedy relief. McCausland, however, proceeded to
carry out his orders, and the greater part of the town was laid in ashes.

For this act I alone am responsible, as the officers engaged in it were simply executing
my orders, and had no discretion left them. Notwithstanding the lapse of time which has
occurred and the result of the war, I am perfectly satisfied with my conduct on this occasion,
and see no reason to regret it.

McCausland then moved in the direction of Cumberland, but on approaching that town
he found it defended by a force under Kelly too strong for him to attack, and he withdrew
towards Hampshire County, in Virginia, and crossed the Potomac near the mouth of the
South Branch, capturing the garrison at that place, and partially destroying the railroad
bridge. He then invested the post on the railroad at New Creek, but finding it too strongly
fortified to take by assault he moved to Moorefield, in Hardy County, near which place he
halted to rest and recruit his men and horses, as the command was now considered safe from
pursuit. Averill, however, had been pursuing from Chambersburg with a body of cavalry, and
Johnson's Brigade was surprised in camp, before day, on the morping of the 7th of August,
and routed by Averill's force. This resulted also in the rout of McCausland's Brigade, and
the loss of the artillery (four pieces) and about three hundred prisoners from the whole
command. The balance of the command made its way to Mount Jackson in great disorder,
and much weakened. This affair had a very damaging effect upon my cavalry for the rest
of the campaign.

The First Maryland Cavalry in this expedition was united with the battalion
of Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Gilmor, and was under that officer's command. They
were the first to enter Chambersburg, but met with slight resistance.

The work of destruction accomplished, it behooved McCausland to move
expeditiously, as he had many obstacles to overcome before getting back to
Virginia. General Averill, with a large force, was rapidly approaching, and as
McCausland had several bodies of troops in his front he could not afford to have
Averill too close on his heels.

Accordingly, at noon of the same day of the burning, the return march was
begun, and that night the command went into camp at McConnellsburg. Next
morning the march was resumed and at noon Hancock, Maryland, was reached.
Here General McCausland ordered a levy of $50.000 upon the people. For some