January 11, 1861 (Friday): Battle at Blue's Gap

Colonel John F. Dunning

HEADQUARTERS VALLEY DISTRICT,

Unger’s Store, Morgan County, Virginia, January 11, 1862.

   MAJOR:  Through on the 4^th instant Bath, and all that part of Morgan County east of the Big Cacapon River was recovered from the enemy, and their stores at Bath, and at the mouth of the Big Cacapon River, as well as those opposite Hancock, fell into our hands, and the railroad bridge across Big Cacapon River was destroyed by our troops, yet on the 7^th the enemy surprised our militia at Hanging Rock Pass, distant 15 miles from Romney, drove back our troops from their fortifications, burned their huts, captured 2 pieces of artillery (one a 4-pounder rifled, the other a 4-pounder smooth bore); the limber of the rifled piece was saved, but both caissons lost.  So soon as they had accomplished this and burned the buildings of Col. Charles Blue, near by, killed his live stock, leaving it on the ground, they returned to Romney.

   The Federal forces in and about Romney have for the last month been apparently acting upon the principle of burning every house in which they ascertain that any of our troops have been.

   Respectfully, your obedient servant,

                                                                                          T. J. JACKSON,

                                    Major-General, Provisional Army Confederate States.

THOMAS G. RHETT, Assistant Adjustant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 5, Part 1, Page 396.

Jackson recounts the battle of Blue’s Gap, a relatively minor skirmish which showed how little value militia was in combat against even relatively inexperienced volunteer troops.