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342	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
The enemy, receiving heavy re-enforcements, rallied and drove our men back through the town, and were in turn forced to fall back. About this time a battery of the enemy, posted on an eminence about half a mile in rear of the town, opened fire upon us, doing, however, no damage. Lieut. Elder's battery immediately went into position, and fired several rounds at this battery, one of which blew up a caisson, or limber chest of the enemy. For two or three hours we contested the possession of the place most desperately, but were at last compelled, by the vastly superior force of the enemy, to fall back, which we did in good order for a distance of 2 miles, fighting over every foot of the ground, retiring two regiments and two guns, and holding the enemy in check with two regiments and two guns until those retiring again took position.     After fighting in this manner for an hour or more, the enemy pressed my command so closely as to throw it into considerable confusion, and one of his guns must have been lost but for the fierce determination with which Lieut. Elder and his men fought this piece, assisted by a few gallant officers and men of the several regiments who rallied in support of the piece. Four different times did the enemy charge this piece, which was placed upon the pike, and as often were they repulsed with heavy slaughter, Lieut. Elder pouring his canister into their ranks with most deadly effect. So close was the conflict, that No. 1 of the piece, turning his sponge-staff, knocked one of the enemy from his horse.     Too much credit cannot be given to Lieut. (Samuel S.) Elder (4th U. S. Battery), for the splendid manner in which he fought this piece; and the men of his battery are also deserving of special mention for their bravery.     The enemy, meeting so warm a reception at every fresh attack upon us, finally drew off the most of his force, and I retired with my command in tolerable good order in the direction of Boonesborough, marching about 5 miles and halting for the night. The brigade lost 2 officers killed, 3 wounded and 7 missing; 12 enlisted men killed, 41 wounded and 201 missing. The majority of casualties in this engagement were occasioned by the fire of the enemy's infantry, who, posted in almost every house, poured in a most destructive volley upon our men as they charged through the streets.     Tuesday, July 7. I returned with my brigade to Boonesborough, and went into camp near that place until the next day, when the enemy attacked us in heavy force.     Wednesday, July 8. Soon after the attack I received orders to move out the pike and take a position about the center of our line of defense, with which order I proceeded at once to comply. Upon arriving at the point indicated, I found the enemy in strong force in my immediate front, under cover of a thick piece of woods and large rocks. I immediately deployed

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