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Successful Reconnaissance

Summary

A reconnaissance mission of the "Cole Rangers" and Capt. Hunter's company, under command of Capt. Vernon of Frederick, has resulted in capture near Halltown of rebel guerilla chief Bob Baylor and Lt. W.W. Wilson of the 12th VA Regt.

Transcript

SUCCESSFUL RECONNAISSANCE. – On Saturday a detachment of sixty cavalry from the “Cole Rangers” and Capt. Capt. Hunter’s company, under the command of Capt. Vernon, of this city, left Harpersferry on a reconnaissance. After proceeding about three miles up the left bank of the Shenandoah they learned from a contraband that Captain Baylor’s guerrillas, 120 strong, were at Charlestown; but subsequently heard they had gone to Halltown. Directing their route towards the latter place, they found an officer’s horse hitched near the dwelling of R. M. T. Hunter, Esq., but searched the house in vain; at a country house a little further on, they found another officer’s horse hitched, and upon effecting a search, discovered the veritable guerrilla Chief, Bob Baylor, whom they made prisoner, and brought back to Harpersferry. – On their return, however, they encountered the rebel force, drawn up in line at the crest of a hill, and receiving their fire charged upon them. The rebels immediately broke ranks and a running fight ensued, in which Lieut. W. W. Wilson, of the 12th Virginia Rebel, a private and five riderless horses were captured. One of our men received a slight flesh wound in the calf of the leg; the rest were unhurt. The loss of the rebels is only conjectured from their empty saddles. Col. Wm. L. Schley, Commandant at Harpersferry, sent the prisoners to Baltimore next day, and they have been placed to Fort McHenry.