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The First division West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Duffie) was ordered to Charlestown.
On the nineteenth and twentieth the main body of the cavalry remained in the same position as that of the eighteenth.
On the twenty-first the rebel army advanced in three columns by Smithfield, Summit Point, and Berryville on our army, concentrated about Charlestown, Virginia.
The First division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Duffie) was ordered out across the Charlestown and Leetown road on the right of the infantry.
The First and Third divisions of cavalry (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Wilson) were ordered to fall back slowly as the enemy's infantry columns advanced, and pass to the right of the army, where they were massed, except the Third brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), which was posted on the left and front.
The army fell back to Halltown, Virginia, that night (the twenty-first), and the cavalry was ordered to fall back the next morning.
Early on the morning of the twenty-second the enemy advanced rapidly with strong infantry skirmishers, and were held in check by the First division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Duffie), the Third brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), and part ot the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson), until the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) could withdraw in the direction of Shepherdstown, and the trains withdraw to the rear.
The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) marched direct to Shepherdstown, the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) fell back to Halltown, Virginia, taking position, on the right of the infantry.
The First division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Duffie), moved to Point of Rocks, Maryland, crossing the Potomac via Harper's Ferry, Virginia.
The Third brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), fell back to Halltown and took position on the left of the infantry.
The Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Averell), was now across the Potomac river, his main force in the vicinity of Fair Play, Maryland, and watching the fords on the upper Potomac.
On the twenty-third and twenty-fourth the cavalry remained in the same position as on the twenty-second.
On the morning of the twenty-fifth I marched the First and Third divisions of cavalry (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Wilson) to Kearneysville by two routes, making the junction half a mile from Kearneysville — from there proceeded in the direction of Leetown in two columns.
The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) on the right, and the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) on the left.
About a mile from Leetown a small cavalry force was met in a heavy woods, and from all the information that could be obtained, went to show that nothing but cavalry was in our front, and disposition was immediately made to attack.
A brigade was sent on each flank, two to attack in front, and one held in reserve.
Soon after the attack was commenced it was found that we were fighting infantry (a division of Breckenridge's corps), while on the march in the direction of Shepherdstown, Virginia.
The attack was so sudden and vigorous the division was thrown in complete confusion and back three-fourths of a mile.
The enemy lost about two hundred and fifty killed and wounded, together with one brigade commander.
I then concluded to fall back,which was done in good order — the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) taking the road from Kearneysville, via Duffield station, to the right of the army, the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) taking the direct road to Shepherdstown, Virginia, the enemy following up the latter column with infantry and artillery.
Near Shepherdstown the First brigade (Brigadier-General Custer) was sent to the relief of a regiment of the Reserve brigade which was the rear guard, and which was about to be cut off from the main body.
Soon after this brigade was cut off from the main force and they quietly withdrew to the other side of the Potomac river, via Shepherdstown ford, and covered that and the Antietam ford; the balance of the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) fell back and took position on the right of the army.
On the night of the same day (twenty-fifth) the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) was sent across the Potomac river, via Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and took position in the vicinity of Boonsboro, Maryland.
On the twenty-sixth the cavalry remained in the same position as on that of the twenty-fifth instant.
On the twenty-seventh, the First New York Lincoln cavalry was ordered from Brigadier-General Duffie's division to Brigadier-General Averell's division, and the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry in the same division was ordered to report, temporarily, to Brigadier-General Stephenson, at Harper's Ferry, Virginia; the balance of Brigadier-General Duffie's division was dismounted and ordered to Cumberland, Maryland, to remount, their horses being turned over to other commanders.
On the morning of the twenty-seventh, the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) was ordered to Sharpsburg, Maryland; the same day I went to Hagerstown, Maryland, to visit the Second division, West Virginia cavalry, Brigadier-General Averell.
The next day (twenty-eighth), Brigadier-General Averell's division was ordered to cross the Potomac river at Williamsport ford, and move on Martinsburg, Virginia, the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) to cross at Shepherdstown ford, and the First brigade, First division (Brigadier-General Custer), to cross at Harper's Ferry, Virginia.
The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt)
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Van Nostrand. New York, New York. 1868.
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