In March, 1863, a small party from companies A and D, under the command of Captain Bond and Lieutenant Dorsey, whilst picketing on the back road, below Fisher’s Hill, made a dash upon the enemy’s pickets in the vicinity of Kearnstown, killing and capturing a number of them. They were attacked in turn by a large body of cavalry, and compelled to retire precipitately, with the loss of two or three men. This daring act caused a general alarm in Winchester, and Milroy immediately dispatched the 12th and 13th Pennsylvania up the turnpike, running parallel with the back road, to cut the party off. The movement was, however, observed, and information of their approach communicated to General Jones, who, with a part of his command, moved forward to meet them. The enemy were encountered at the little village of Maurytown. The surprise was complete, and the rout that ensued was perhaps unparalleled in the history of the war. At one charge the enemy were scattered in every direction, and pursued to the very gates of Winchester, losing nearly three hundred men in killed, wounded, and captured. In this affair the First Maryland bore itself with conspicuous gallantry, although but few of the men had ever before been under fire. CHAPTER II. For some time prior to the 21st of April extensive preparations had been going on in the command of General Jones for a move in some direction. These preparations were anxiously watched by the officers and men, for all were heartily sick of the camp, and were ready for any undertaking. Orders were at length given to cook two days’ rations, which made it evident that the long anticipated movement was at hand. On that day the forces of Jones (numbering three thousand five hundred men) were marshaled, and soon on the road to Moorefield. The roads were in a shocking condition, and the troops moved slowly, and after marching fifteen miles the command went into camp. Next day the object of the expedition was made known. As had been surmised, it was intended to operate upon the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and to secure supplies from the rich and fertile valleys of West Virginia. The Maryland Line accompanied the expedition—the infantry and artillery as far as Moorefield, and the cavalry the whole way.