1862.
During the early months of this year but few military movements
occurred in Virginia. The first action of the year occurred at Huntsville,
in Nicholas county, January 3d, whither General Milroy had sent
Major Webster, with a force of seven hundred and thirty-eight men, to
destroy a quantity of Confederate stores known to be deposited at that
place. The work was successfully performed, six buildings filled with
provisions being burned.
On the 4th, General Jackson, stationed at Winchester, in the Shenandoah
Valley, made a dash toward the Potomac for the purpose of tearing
up the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. The Federals were driven north of
the river, and Jackson, after destroying several miles of the road, fell
back toward the valley.
An engagement took place on the 7th between a portion of General
Kelly's forces lying at Romney, in Hampshire county, and a body of
Confederates at Blues Gap. Colonel Dunning, with the 5th Ohio, won
the day. The loss on either side was slight.
