Folck's Mill

Late in July 1864, Confederate Gen. John C. McCausland led two cavalry brigades of about 2,800 men north into Pennsylvania and Maryland to capture Chambersburg and Cumberland and either collect a ransom or burn the towns. After burning Chambersburg on July 31, his raiders reached the National Pike the next day and rode toward Cumberland as Union Gen. William W. Averell pursued them with 2,000 cavalrymen. Union Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley hastily organized Cumberland’s defenses, placing a blocking force of two infantry regiments of about 1,000 men and four artillery pieces east of town on wooded hills overlooking Folck’s Mill, while other units, including three hastily organized civilian volunteer companies, held prepared positions elsewhere around the town. When the first Confederates reached Folck’s Mill, concealed Federals opened fire, and the raiders took shelter in the mill buildings and what is now Hillcrest Cemetery. As the main Confederate force arrived, it deployed on the hill behind the advance body, and a sharp fight began about 3 p.m. and continued for four and a half hours. With Averell pressing their rear and a solid defense in front of them, the Confederates escaped south under cover of darkness, leaving campfires burning to deceive the Federals, and after a difficult night march reached Oldtown at dawn. Confederate losses at Cumberland were two killed, two wounded, and three taken prisoner, while the Federals suffered twelve wounded.

Maryland · United States