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- Sep 19, 2017
This time of July we are all remembering about Gettysburg, Vicksburg and such. But let's take a look at the 3rd Northern Invasion on this day.
The 100 day, 135th Vol Inf Regiment was hastily formed from the Licking and Hardin counties Ohio National Guard units, Col Andrew Legg commanding. Most members had no military experience. They were sent to Martinsburg WV, Companies B and F went to a Backwater so called "Safe Duty" 2 story Blockhouse guarding the B&O RR at North Mountain Depot. 7 miles NW of Martinsburg. Under the command of Capt U.S. Westbrook.
July 2nd, General John McCausland is moving North fast with a force of 1,500 and artillery, cutting telegraph wires and reaching Hedgesville by night. As July 3rd dawns a small Union patrol from the depot is goobled up with out a shot. One was straggling and made it back with a warning. Legg makes a poor decision, forms up Co B and heads towards Hedgesville, as they crested a small hill they observe McCausland's over whelming force in the valley below them. They fire a ragged volley and quickly retreat back to the safty their blockhouse.
As McCausland sends a flag of truce forward he also moves his artillery into position. Westbrook orders to fire on the flag and Confederates. Confederate artillery returns fire to the blockhouse and quickly knocked a gable in, set the roof on fire, and partially battered the door down. Surrender was the only way out. They were stripped of their possessions and footware and marched to Lynchburg. 12 Union men are some how able to slip away.
The 100 day, 135th Vol Inf Regiment was hastily formed from the Licking and Hardin counties Ohio National Guard units, Col Andrew Legg commanding. Most members had no military experience. They were sent to Martinsburg WV, Companies B and F went to a Backwater so called "Safe Duty" 2 story Blockhouse guarding the B&O RR at North Mountain Depot. 7 miles NW of Martinsburg. Under the command of Capt U.S. Westbrook.
July 2nd, General John McCausland is moving North fast with a force of 1,500 and artillery, cutting telegraph wires and reaching Hedgesville by night. As July 3rd dawns a small Union patrol from the depot is goobled up with out a shot. One was straggling and made it back with a warning. Legg makes a poor decision, forms up Co B and heads towards Hedgesville, as they crested a small hill they observe McCausland's over whelming force in the valley below them. They fire a ragged volley and quickly retreat back to the safty their blockhouse.
As McCausland sends a flag of truce forward he also moves his artillery into position. Westbrook orders to fire on the flag and Confederates. Confederate artillery returns fire to the blockhouse and quickly knocked a gable in, set the roof on fire, and partially battered the door down. Surrender was the only way out. They were stripped of their possessions and footware and marched to Lynchburg. 12 Union men are some how able to slip away.
Bringing the