DRAINSVILLE.
The battle of Drainsville, near Washington, took place on the 20th
of December. It was the first engagement of any importance in which
the army of the Potomac was successful. On the above date General
Ord, with his brigade, advanced toward Drainsville for the purpose of
securing forage for his animals. With him were the Pennsylvania Bucktails,
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, brother of E. K. Kane,
the Arctic explorer, and an Eastern battery of light artillery. When
near Drainsville they encountered a force about 6,000 strong. A battle
ensued, which lasted about five hours, and resulted in a complete rout
of the Confederates. Federal loss was sixty-seven, while that of the
Confederates was 240. This, with the exception of a slight engagement
at New Market bridge, near Newport News, was the last fighting in Virginia
during the year 1861.
