Engagement with McNeill's Rangers

In early April, 1863, a Confederate force led by Captain John H. McNeill's Rangers and four additional companies of Virginia cavalry left Rockingham County for West Virginia. At Moorefield, 20 miles south of Fort Mill Ridge, the force divided into several smaller units. On April 6th, McNeill's Rangers surprised a Union foraging train near Burlington, 10 miles west of Fort Mill Ridge, capturing 5 wagons and 11 soldiers. A contingent of 50 Union cavalrymen sent to assist the foraging party headed south toward Moorefield by today's Route 220, west of Mill Mountain, and a second larger Union cavalry force followed them. The smaller Union force ran headlong into the Virginia cavalry and retreated back up the road. Near Purgitsville, they met the larger Union force, which prepared to receive the Confederates. A hand-to-hand melee followed before the outnumbered Confederates broke off the engagement and retreated south toward Moorefield. Union infantry and artillery then reinforced the cavalry. On the morning of April 7th, they surprised the Confederate encampment 5 miles south of Moorefield. After scattering the Confederates with artillery shells, the Union infantry crossed the swollen South Branch of the Potomac River in small boats and burned the camp. The Union forces then returned to Fort Mill Ridge, and McNeill's Confederates returned to Rockingham County.

West Virginia · United States