Major Charles Lovell's brigade of Regulars encountered Major General A,P, Hill's "Light Division" about a mile from the Potomac River. While withdrawing back to Boteler's Ford, Hill's men attacked under a withering fire from federal artillery causing tremendous casualties.
Union Col. James Barnes' brigade was ordered to the top of the bluffs to cover to cover the retreat and two more federal brigades were ordered to cross over into Virginia (West Virginia). After a violent clash along the heights above the river, Porter ordered a withdrawal.
However, the colonel of the inexperienced 118th Pennsylvania (the "Corn Exchange" regiment) refused to retire until orders were received through the proper chain of command. In this engagement, their first time under fire, the 118th regiment was driven in by four Confederate brigades and suffered 36% casualties.
--Old Secesh
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