Federals Take Romney Town - Day One - 11:40 a.m. to Noon

The Federal forces re-organized swiftly after taking the covered bridge over the South Branch between 11:20 and 11:40 a.m. on Day One of the campaign. They followed the retreating Confederates towards Romney town and immediately launched an attack, before the Federal artillery was in position and unlimbered to offer support.

The Confederates had a regiment and two artillery pieces in an orchard in the southwest corner of town, and another infantry regiment among the building along the west edge near the Northwest Turnpike.  The Federals focused most of their attention on the orchard, and overlapped the Confederate left. The Rebel guns fired a few canister rounds, but then started a retreat. Before they were fully limbered and off to safety, their supporting infantry broke and the advancing Federals opened fire on the retreating guns and then advanced towards the Court House in the center of town.

The remaining Confederate infantry was left fighting stubbornly, but nearly surrounded. Additional infantry and artillery were coming down the Moorefield and North Branch Turnpike from the north, but the infantry in town was forced to retreat or risk surrender when their support had only reached as far as the Riker farm.

The Confederate relief force deployed at Riker, but the Federals had already gotten into position on the northern end of town and had their US regular battery deployed. The Confederates then fell back to Nelson and took a position on the farm and orchard at the junction of the turnpike and Jersey Mountain Road. This put them at the outer range of the enemy artillery and at less risk of heavy loss.

And that is how the situation stands at Romney as of noon on Day 1....  Fighting also continues at Three Churches.