Romney, West Virginia in The American Civil War - 1862

1862

• On January 7, an advance guard of Confederates was defeated by about 2,000 Federals under Colonel Dunning at Blue's Gap.

• On January 10, Federal troops under Frederick W. Lander evacuated Romney and Confederate cavalry under the command of Captains George F. Sheetz and E. H. Shans occupied the town; Brig. Gen. William W. Loring was placed in command and "Stonewall" Jackson returned to Winchester. This set the stage for General Jackson's resignation, which was declined.

• On February 2 – 4 Confederate General Loring evacuated Romney.

• On February 7, after General Jackson had been forced to withdraw his units to Winchester, Federal forces under General Lander reoccupied the town and later broke up "the rebel nest at Bloomery Gap."

• Following apparent occupation by Confederates in the spring, Union Lt. Col. Stephen W. Downey of the 3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade took command of Federal troops at Romney on March 3; in early May, Downey left his troops there and received a new command in Pendleton County.

• From April 24 – 28, the Federal Ringgold and Washington Cavalry were stationed in Romney.

• During early 1862, Blenker's Federal division marched through Romney.

• From September 13 – 15, Confederate Col. John D. Imboden occupied Romney for several days after a Federal withdrawal; he used the opportunity to set a successful ambush for Federal troops about two miles out of town.

• On October 2 the 1st New York Cavalry passed through Romney.

• On December 1 the Ringgold Cavalry skirmished with Confederates in Romney.

• Captain Keys of the Ringgold cavalry was reported to have left Romney on December 22 for Winchester.

• One week later, Brig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy and his cavalry escort passed through on his way to take command of Federal forces in Winchester.