Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 3.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

The struggle, in fact, is taking place between Imboden and Buford in the vicinity of the Potomac. The latter has caused Merritt and Gamble to advance, one to the right, the other to the left, of the Downsville road: Devin, who is kept in reserve, is ready to support them. At a distance of about one mile from Williamsport, Gamble is vigorously attacked by the Confederate infantry. His troopers, dismounting, receive them with a well-sustained fire. The Southerners are repulsed, but they have stopped the movement of the Unionists in that direction. Without losing a moment's time, they take advantage of it to throw themselves once more upon Merritt. The latter, supported by a battery of artillery, has so well posted his dismounted regulars that the Confederates dare not approach him from the front, but they occupy his attention by manoeuvring, thereby gaining time. This is all they require, for Fitzhugh Lee has been signalled along the Greencastle road with his brigade and that of Hampton. The presence of Kelley's Federal division along the upper Potomac has obliged him, as we have stated, to make this detour in order to cover the right flank of the supply-train. He reaches Williamsport at the most critical moment for the Confederates: Imboden has vainly tried to turn Merritt's right; the regulars have resumed the offensive, while the sound of cannon, drawing near, announces the arrival of Kilpatrick.

The latter, leaving two regiments and one battery before Hagerstown in order to delay Stuart's march, has quickly proceeded toward Williamsport with the remainder of his force. At four o'clock he arrives in sight of the Potomac, re-forms his line to the right of Merritt, and advances against the Confederates, whose confidence has been restored by the arrival of Fitzhugh Lee; but at this moment the news from his rear-guard paralyzes his attack.

Stuart is upon his track. As soon as the Federals had relinquished the offensive he assumed it in his turn, and, knowing that the head of Longstreet's column was approaching Hagerstown, he left that city. Chambliss, followed by Jones, presses close the Federal rear-guard along the great turnpike, while Robertson and Jenkins are endeavoring to turn it on the lift by way of a parallel road. The Fifth New York and the First Vermont, forming