“May 7th I was first advised by my scouts and spies that a junction had been effected between the armies of
Generals [Stonewall]
Jackson and [Edward]
Johnson, and that they were advancing to attack me at
McDowell.
Having the day previous sent out a large portion of the 3d West Virginia and 32d and 75th Ohio Regiments to
Shaw's Ridge and upon
Shenandoah Mountain for the purpose of protecting my foraging and reconnoitering parties, I immediately ordered my whole command to concentrate at
McDowell, and, expecting reenforcements, prepared for defense there. . . . Upon the next morning (the 8th instant) the enemy was seen upon the
Bull Pasture Mountain, about one and three-fourths miles distant from
McDowell, on my right and front.
I commenced shelling them and sent out parties of skirmishers to endeavor to ascertain their numbers.
At about 10 A. M. your brigade arrived.
Desultory firing of a section of
Hyman's battery and occasional skirmishing engaged the attention of the enemy during the morning. . . . In the afternoon, at about 3 o'clock, being informed by
Captain George R. Latham, of the 2d West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, who, with his company, was engaged in skirmishing, that the rebels were endeavoring to plant a battery upon the mountain, which would command our whole encampment, with your permission I made a reconnoissance for the purpose of obtaining accurate information of their strength and position. . . . Under my order the 25th Ohio and 75th Ohio Regiments (the former under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel W. P. Richardson, and the latter under the command of
Colonel N. C. McLean and
Major Robert Reily) advanced in the most gallant manner up the face of the hill and attacked the enemy in their front.
Numbering less than one thousand men, unprotected by any natural or artificial shelter, they advanced up a precipitous mountain-side upon an adversary protected by intrenchments and the natural formation of the mountain, and unsupported drove them (being at least twice their numerical strength) over the crest of the mountain, and for one and a half hours maintained unaided, while exposed to a deadly fire, the position from which they had so bravely driven the foe.”
