Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/19

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Tmboden's Dash Into Charlestown 11

The Washington Light Infantry

In the war between the States, 1860-65.

One company in peace; three full companies

For the War.

Besides the maimed, wounded and capured,

one hundred ard fourteen died in battle,

in hospital or on the weary wayside.

In obedience

To a sentiment of honour and the call of duty and in pledge of their sincerity they made The last sacrifice, they laid down their lives

Officers and men,

They were of the very flower of this

ancient city, her young hope and fair renown.

" Fortuna non mutat genus."

Erected 1891.

[From the Baltimore Sunday Stun, August 30, 1903.]

IMBODEN'S DASH INTO CHARLESTOWN.

A War Incident in Which the Ninth Maryland Federal

Regiment Figured An Act of Kindness that

was Remembered.

About the i5th of October, 1863, General Imboden's Brigade was encamped in Rockingham county, Virginia, when he received an order from General Lee to proceed to Berryville, meet General Stuart there and in conjunction with him make an attack on Harper's Ferry and Charlestown, and, if possible, capture both.

General Sullivan's (Federal) Brigade was at the Ferry, and the Ninth Maryland (Federal) Regiment of Infantry and a squadron of cavalry at Charlestown, which is eight miles from the Ferry.

Imboden had to guard all the gaps in the mountains from Beverley to Harper's Ferry, and consequently never had his full brigade in camp together at one time. At this time he had less than 1,000 men with him.

General John D. Imboden raised the Staunton Artillery before the war, and it was the first battery that took the field in Virginia. It