Sweeney bypassed the rear guard by swinging diagonally through some woods to the south and emerging just beyond the sharp turn in the road before the ford.

As the 1st New York fell back, Lieutenant Eugene Alexander's section of the Baltimore Artillery (Union) was crossing Opequon Creek.

While the fighting swirled around, Alexander was able to pull one of his guns up the steep embankment on the west side of the creek, unlimber, and fire a double load of canister shot at the Rebel horsemen.

The 36th Virginia reformed and charged again, but were met by fierce fire from four companies of the 6th Maryland, additional grape and canister shot from the Baltimore Battery and a countercharge from the 1st New York Cavalry.

The 36th Virginia pulled back with multiple casualties including Major Sweeney who sustained a severe arm wound and lung injury.

Lieutenant William Hall of the 1st New York Cavalry later stated: "the fight lasted but thirty minutes, but was one of the most desperate I ever witnessed in my more than four years' service.

[4] The 1st New York Cavalry and the 6th Maryland Intantry held their position on the banks of Opequon Creek for about an hour until they were sure that the Rebels had left, then resumed their retreat to Winchester.

Yankee General Philip Sheridan had the 41,173 men of his Army of the Shenandoah on the east side of Opequon Creek from Harpers Ferry to Berryville.

!t was also the case the following day when troopers Alexander Logan, John Shiffer and Winfield Wilber of Companies D, F and I respectively were shot and killed.

Early on the morning of September 19, at around 2:00 a.m. Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer's Michigan Brigade broke camp at Summit Point and began moving toward Locke's Ford.

"[7] "A movement which has recently been started, to erect a substantial bridge over the Opequon at Wadesville on the line between Frederick and Clarke counties, is meeting with much favor and indications are that the project will be carried through.

"The new concrete bridge over the Opequon Creek at Wadesville, one of the most unique structures of its kind in the state, is now ready for traffic.

[10]"WADESVILLE- Fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed the building housing the Baltimore and Ohio passenger station, the post office and the general merchandise store of William Eleyette here early this morning.

The John H. Enders Fire Company of Berryville responded to an alarm, but despite a fast trip, arrived too late to render assistance other than to remove threats to a stone building used as a garage which was situated on the opposite side of the railway tracks.

Today, persons were unable to account for the fire unless it originated from rats chewing matches, from a defective flue or a hot stove.