was accomplished with entire success, and he withdrew his command safely to the south side of the Potomac on the morning of the 19th.
Hampton's brigade crossed the Potomac a short distance above Williamsport, while a part of the Twelfth Virginia cavalry dashed across the river immediately at Williamsport, chasing a few of the enemy's pickets from the place. I was also aided in this demonstration by a battalion of infantry, under Captain Randolph, of the Second Virginia, also by a detachment of the Eleventh Georgia, and it may be by small detachments of other regiments, and a section of the Salem artillery, and one of the Second company Howitzers.
The bridge over the canal was destroyed, but a very good road was constructed, without much labor, under the aqueduct, over the Conochocheague. Having moved out the command, including Hampton's brigade, upon the ridges overlooking Williamsport, active demonstrations were made toward the enemy.
On the 20th the enemy were drawn toward my position in heavy force, Couch's division in advance. Showing a bold front, we maintained our position and kept the enemy at bay until dark, when, having skirmished all day, we withdrew to the south bank of the Potomac, without loss.
During the Maryland campaign my command did not suffer on any one day as much as their comrades of other arms, but theirs was the sleepless watch and the harassing daily "petite guerre" in which the aggregate of casualties for the month sums up heavily. There was not a single day from the time my command crossed the Potomac till it recrossed, that it was not engaged with the enemy, and at Sharpsburg was several times subjected to severe shelling. Their services were indispensable to every success attained, and the officers and men of the cavalry division recur with pride to the Maryland campaign of '62.
I regret exceedingly that I have not the means of speaking more in detail of the brave men of other commands whose meritorious conduct was witnessed both at Sharpsburg and Williamsport, but whose names owing to the lapse of time cannot be now recalled, and I have no reports to assist me. Brigadier-General Early at the former place behaved with great coolness and good judgment, particularly after he came in command of his division, and Colonel (since General) William Smith, Forty-ninth Virginia infantry, was conspicuously brave and self-possessed.
