[785] tempt fortune on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and captures a post which was guarding Back Creek bridge, he makes himself acquainted with all the approaches to Charlestown, and proposes to Imboden to take its garrison by surprise. Starting at night, the Confederates come in sight of its suburbs on the 18th of October before daybreak. They have not been observed. Gilmor makes a detour with his men and a regiment of cavalry, the Eighteenth Virginia, to cut off the enemy's retreat on Harper's Ferry: shortly after, Imboden, with the remainder of the brigade, about eight hundred men, presents himself before the town and summons Simpson to surrender. The latter, who is taken by surprise, endeavors to defend himself, but the assailants do not give him the time: attacked and pressed upon all sides, the Federals fight in detachments in the town. A great number are taken; the others, with a part of their wagons, reach the road to Harper's Ferry. Gilmor, who is awaiting them, scatters the first who present themselves, and captures some prisoners; but the Eighteenth Virginia not supporting him in due time, the fugitives soon overrun him by their increasing number. Simpson makes a passage, and reaches Harper's Ferry with the debris of his command. More than four hundred men, wagons, horses, and equipments fall into the Confederates' hands, to whom this brilliant success has cost only about twenty soldiers killed and wounded. They again take the route to the south, well knowing that the garrison of Harper's Ferry will soon come to dispute their victory. This is soon realized, but when the Federals re-enter Charlestown, Imboden is no longer within reach. He halts only at Front Royal, where he well knows they will not come.
After this bold stroke the two parties keep themselves at a distance, and the year will end without fresh combats on the banks of the Shenandoah.
