Battle of Cool Spring, July 18, 1864
This battle, also known as Snickers Ferry, Castleman's Ferry, Island Ford or Parker's Ford, occurred during the withdrawal of Confederate General Early's force from its July 12 raid on Washington, DC. Early had been pursued from Washington by the 6th and 19th Corps, who had arrived in Washington on July 11, just in time to prevent Early from entering and perhaps sacking the capitol. On July 16, the 6th and 19th Corps were joined near Purcellville by Hunter's army, which had finally arrived back in the war zone after a circuitous withdrawal through West Virginia following their defeat in the Battle of Lynchburg nearly a month earlier. The Union forces linked up just as Early completed his escape to the relative safety of the Shenandoah Valley by crossing the Shenandoah River at Snickers Ferry.
The pursuing Union forces sent a small force of three brigades across the river near Parker Island in the early afternoon of July 18. The 116th Ohio was in the first brigade to cross, and received severe fire from Rebel skirmishers on the other side while crossing. Once across the river, Company B was one of four companies sent out to drive back the Rebel skirmishers and find the main body of the enemy.
As it happened, the main body of the enemy was nearby, and they advanced against the small Union force, driving it back to the shelter of some stone walls near the river. The Confederates concentrated their attack on the Union right flank, and at one point succeeded in driving a force of dismounted cavalry back across the river. The 116th Ohio was sent to hold the line in their place, and with the assistance of the stone walls kept the Rebels at bay until nightfall. The Union attackers were supported by artillery fire and by some rifle fire from across the river, but were not reinforced by any additional troops. After dark, they withdrew back across the river.
The following day, Early's force continued their withdrawal and the Union army crossed the river unopposed to continue their pursuit. The Union forces suffered 422 casualties, including 65 killed, in this engagement. Four of the killed and 14 wounded (including the regimental commander, Col. Washburn) were from the 116th Ohio; Company B suffered one killed and one wounded. Among the participants of this relatively small engagement were two future presidents of the United States, Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, a brigade commander, and Capt. William McKinley, a staff officer.
General Crook, who was in overall command of the three brigades sent into battle, claimed in his autobiography that when it became apparent that the enemy was in strength across the river he was refused permission to withdraw the attacking force but instead was promised the support of another division of troops. When the commander of the supporting division saw the strength of the opposing forces he refused to order the advance, thus leading to the 'useless sacrifice' of Crook's troops.
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