During the spring of 1862, Union troops under the command of Brigadier General Robert H. Milroy occupied Monterey and McDowell in Highland County. Having a difficult time obtaining supplies (forage and rations) for the horses and men of his command, Milroy decided to live off the land. As a result, in late April 1862, a foraging party visited the village of Williamsville, in the Northern part of Bath County, to collect food for themselves and their animals. A train of 26 wagons, guarded by ten men of the 73^rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was loaded with grain and other supplies and started back to McDowell on the morning of April 26^th.

The Bath Cavalry learned of the "raid" by the Yankees and set out to punish them. It is said that John T. Byrd, a local farmer, carried the news of the raid to the Bath Cavalry. A detachment of that company concealed themselves in the brush along the road and at an opportune moment, opened fire upon the guards and wagon drivers. Two men were killed (a father and his son from Pennsylvania), and several wounded. A number of other men were taken prisoner and sent to Richmond.

This book is out of print! The details of the ambush at Williamsville is included in more detail in The Battle of McDowell.

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