In June 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered Gen. John D. Imboden to protect the army's left flank as it marched north through the Shenandoah Valley by drawing Union forces into Hampshire County, West Virginia, and destroying bridges and communications. After Lee routed the Federal garrison at Winchester, Virginia, on June 15, Union Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley ordered the remaining troops to New Creek to protect the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and prevent Imboden from heading west, leaving Cumberland wholly unprotected between the two armies' lines and in a state of near panic. At dawn on June 17, the 18th Virginia Cavalry and Confederate artillery arrived east of Cumberland off Williams Road. When residents approached to learn their intentions, the Confederates fired cannons, and shells landed near McKaig's foundry. Two troopers under Confederate Col. George W. Imboden, brother of John Imboden, then delivered a letter to acting mayor Valentine Buckey demanding that he surrender the city "as an act of humanity." After terms were negotiated, about 30 cavalrymen entered Cumberland, seized horses, forced merchants to open their shops, and bought footwear and dry goods with Confederate script. According to a Federal report, the only damage was at the telegraph station, where equipment was destroyed and wires were pulled down. After only three hours, the Confederates withdrew through Greenspring, Paw Paw, and Bloomery Gap and headed north to Pennsylvania.
