A Raid On Home Ground

The George’s Schoolhouse Raid in Lovettsville, Virginia on January 17^th 1865 was the last move in Loudoun County by White’s Comanche’s.

The end of 1864 found Confederate Colonel Elijah V White the commander of the 35^th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry in the Shenandoah Valley.  His rations were running out, and men leaving the ranks in recorded numbers.  White moved his men back into their home territory of Loudoun County, Virginia, to forage and regroup.  About the same time Union cavalry Colonel Thomas C Devin on a regular patrol of the area made camp northwest of Lovettsville near George’s Schoolhouse.

On January 12^th 1865 some members of White’s 35th were at a party in Hillsborough, Virginia when they were surprised by the Union leaning Loudoun Rangers.  One member of the 35^th was killed and two captured.  White put together a unit of about 80 men made up of the 35^th and Mosby’s Rangers.

On the night of January 17^th 1865 White’s raiding party moved on Devin’s camp, capturing the pickets.  The raiding party charged the Union cavalry camp, only to find that Devin had recently been reinforced and had about 400 men.  Union men assembled in the dark, most in a state of undress, and advanced on the raiders.  The raiders quickly broke off the attack, making a retreat, taking about 50 captured horses with them.

Brother After Brother

The skirmish known as the Fight at Waterford took place August 27^th 1862 in the Waterford, Virginia area.

Union Captain Samuel C Means commanding the Loudoun Rangers; an independent force, moved on August 26^th 1862 into Waterford, Loudoun, Virginia to prepare a movement against Confederates in the area.  He stationed pickets on the six roads leading into town, placed Lieutenant Luther Slater in command before retiring.  Confederate Captain Elijah V White leading about 100 cavalry under supervision of Confederate General Richard S Ewell moved into the Loudoun County, Virginia area.  They learned of Means’ presence in the area.

With the help of locals in the early morning hours of August 27^th 1862 White’s men approached Waterford.  White split his force sending 30 men on horses down the road to draw the Union troops out, while another 20 on foot waited nearby to fire on Means’ soldiers if they took the bait.  White’s men opened fire early sending the Rangers into the Baptist Church, losing 1 killed and 2 wounded including Slater.  The Confederates laid a fire into the church, while some of the men went looking for Means, who had already escaped with some of the pickets.

After several hours of fighting and almost out of ammunition the Rangers in the church finally agreed to surrender as long as all the men would be paroled.  White who was also running short of ammo took the Union horses and paroled 19 of Means men found in the church.  It was during the surrender that William Snoot a member of White’s cavalry ran into church planning to kill his brother Charles Snoot who was fighting with the Loudoun Rangers.  He was disarmed before reaching his brother.

If you are interested in reading more, please look at The Fight at the Baptist Church, Waterford, 1862