General Jeb Stuart was sent on a mission by the famous General Lee.
Following the Battle at Antietam, the South needed a break
Returning to Virginia was their goal,
But the North followed them, some of the rest they now stole.

Fearing for those crossing at Shepherdstown, Lee sent Stuart elsewhere
To divert and stall some of the North’s troops’ progress
The result of which was the first battle near Williamsport
Where they encountered 7,000 Union soldiers by history’s report.

Leading the North was General John Reynolds
And it was at this point that Lee’s plan worked at least in part
Because Reynolds remained to fight Stuart, thought it was a feint,
And the blood of their men began the water to taint.

The skirmish was short, it was done the next day
For that was when the men were to finish their crossing
And Stuart to return to Virginia so they could regroup and make plans
For the next phase of the war, into the North with victory in their hands.

The success at this point was not big, just a way to distract
But the South’s prowess it illustrated well, not just a rebellious act.
For along the C&O over the year, that was when the war took a turn
By June the South’s strength would wane, and for these betters days they would yearn.

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