Action at Romney - Afternoon Day 5 (Part II)

In the face of canister and musketry, the Federals continued their attacks against the Confederate lines on the north and west edges of Romney Town. The men of Taliaferro's Brigade had a strong defensive advance in the town, whereas Lander's men had to cross mostly open terrain. Only the 39th Illinois, on the far left of the line, was able to gain some cover among trees as it fought Ashby's Cavalry at the northwest end of town.

One the 14th Indiana straddled the Green Spring Road and opened fire on the 1st Georgia, it stood like a rock and did not advance again. The rest of the 1st Brigade continued moving forward, with the 84th Pennsylvania reaching the fence line along the road that runs east-west on the north end of town.  It engaged the 3rd Arkansas, which was firing from behind a fence in a nearby court yard. The 7th Virginia (US) advanced on the left of the 84th Pennsylvania, and the 1st Georgia turned to fire into their flank, but also exposed their own flank to the 14th Indiana. Marye's Battery in the northwest orchard continued to fire with impunity under the protection of the 1st Georgia to its left front and Ashby's men to its right front.

At the west end of town, Carpenter's Battery was in a more tenuous position in the southwest orchard. The 29th Ohio took advance of the 37th Virginia's withdrawal and advanced to the corner of town. Firing into the left section of Carpenter's Battery at close range, the artillerymen began to take heavy losses. The 37th had not fallen back far, however, and the 29th Ohio's advance put them under fire from the Virginian's muskets.

In the center of Colonel Tyler's line, the 7th Ohio continued slowly advancing as it fired on Carpenter's right section, receiving canister in return. Without orders, the 7th Indiana disengaged on the 7th Ohio's right, formed into columns, and started moving towards the left, halting behind the Ohioans. This decreased the fire on Carpenter's Battery and focused its right section on the 7th Ohio.

On Tyler's far left, the 66th Ohio advanced and entered the northwest corner of town, exchanging fire with the 23rd Virginia. The 1st Virginia also opened fire on the 23rd. 

At 4:35 p.m., Lander's men are at the edge of town and the fighting rages, but casualties are mounting on both sides.