Loring Re-Takes Three Churches - Day 1, 17:20 - 17:40

During the morning phase of Day One, four Federal infantry regiments under Colonel Thomas Osborn advanced on Three Churches via the Old Romney Road. They were accompanied by Captain Lucius Robinson's Battery "L," 1st Ohio Light Artillery, and three guns of Battery "H," 1st Ohio Light Artillery under Lieutenant George Norton. As they reached the Greenwalt Farm, they met elements of the Virginia Militia under Brigadier General Gilbert Meem.

Meem made a fighting withdrawal back towards Three Churches with the 16th and 18th Brigades Virginia Militia and Lieutenant Poague's Rockbridge Artillery. He had his men destroy ordnance stores in town and then retreated towards Rannel's Tavern when the pressure from assaults by Osborn's men was too great. At Rannel's Tavern he met Brigadier General William Loring, advancing on Three Churches with three regiments of Taliaferro's Brigade, the Allegheny Artillery (Captain Carpenter) and the 2nd Rockbridge Artillery (Lieutenant Wallace). Meem turned his command around and joined Loring's column.

Loring halted outside of Three Churches, which was defended by Colonel Osborn's men. As Loring started a flanking movement around the Union left, Osborn had his men withdraw to Greenwalt, pursued down the Old Romney Road by Meem's Militia. Loring had the Allegheny Artillery, and 2nd Rockbridge Artillery deploy on a cleared slope of Waddle Hill, with Taliaferro's Brigade nearby. Brigadier General Meem deployed at the Savile Farm, with one "brigade" in the woods on each side of the road and Lieutenant Poague's battery across it. Colonel Osborn's men were deployed in a semi-circle around the Greenwalt Farm, defending the Old Romney Road and a line of retreat towards Hanging Rocks via Mileson Ford.

Loring had his batteries advance slightly to give better infantry support.

Taliaferro's Brigade advances to a jumping off point for its attack on the Union position at Greenwalt as artillery moves forward.

The Allegheny Artillery under Captain Joseph Carpenter starts to shell the Union line from its second position. 

As soon as the guns had unlimbered and begun firing, Loring began his attack.The 37th Virginia, on the right of Taliaferro's Brigade, stepped off first, targeting Lieutenant Norton's three guns of Battery "H," 1st Ohio Light Artillery. As soon as the 37th had opened fire on the enemy guns and started taking return fire from the 39th Illinois, the 23rd Virginia stepped off, followed shortly thereafter by the 3rd Arkansas on Taliaferro's left.  The 23rd Virginia got within range and opened fire on the right flank of the 39th Illinois.

The 37th Virginia advances on Lieutenant Norton's guns on the left of the Union line.

The 37th Virginia halts and opens fire and the 39 Illinois wheels left and fires into the Virginians.

When the 37th Virginia engaged, the rest of Taliaferro's Brigade steps off to join the attack. 

Lieutenant Norton directs his guns as the fire canister into the enemy. 

The 39th Illinois firing into the 37th Virginia. 

Taliaferro's center and left engage. 

The 3rd Arkansas firing on the 7th (West) Virginia.

Lieutenant Norton's guns could not hold long under the fire from the 37th Virginia. The 14th Indiana was pulled from the center of the line to help defend Colonel Osborn's left. It arrived on the left as Lieutenant Norton was trying to withdraw his guns. His section was too battered to continue the fight.

The 14th Indiana passing to the rear of the 7th (West) Virginia as it heads to the left of the Union line.

Lieutenant Norton's men trying to leave the field and save their guns. 

Just as the 14th Indiana was taking position to block any further advance by the 37th Virginia on the Union left, Brigadier General Meem stepped off with the 16th Brigade Virginia Militia on his left (advancing through the woods against the 84th Pennsylvania), and the 18th Brigade Virginia Militia on his right, advancing against the center and right sections of Captain Robinson's Battery. Robinson's Battery was now largely exposed due to the redeployment of the 14th Indiana and the rest of the line to his left being engaged with Taliaferro.  Robinson fired a few rounds of canister and then ordered his battery to retreat. As the guns fell back, the 84th Pennsylvania redeployed to its left rear to close the gap left by the 14th Indiana and retreating guns. It was clear, however, that the line could not hold long, and Colonel Osborne ordered a retreat to Mileson Ford.

The 18th Brigade Virginia Militia advance on the Center and Right Sections of Battery "L," 1st Ohio Light Artillery.

16th Brigade Virginia Militia engages the 84th Pennsylvania. 

The embattled Union line.

The Federal line is given the order to retreat and leaves the field towards Mileson Ford. 

While the fight was going on at Greenwalt, Captain Curil and Company "D," 1st Maryland Potomac Home Brigade Cavalry were scouting the area west and north of Three Churches as they prepared to leave the area. They came across Taliaferro's supply train at the Arnold Farm. They cavalry engaged the train's guard, a company of the 1st Georgia and made a charge against them in an effort to take the trains. The Federal horsemen were repulsed, and left towards Dutch Lick School.