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 charge of artillery and cavalry detachments, he held a bridge at Mount Crawford during the battle of Cross Keys, and participated in the battle of Port Republic. When Jackson left for Richmond, Imboden's little force, Robertson's cavalry and Chew's battery, were left in the Valley, and Imboden continued the organization of his force there and in the mountain counties. His command was known as the First Virginia partisan rangers, under the orders of General Jackson, but early in 1863 it was mustered in as the Eighteenth Virginia cavalry. In January, 1863, General Lee wrote him: ‘I hope you will meet with speedy success in filling up your command to a brigade, when I shall take great pleasure in recommending your promotion.’ He was soon afterward promoted to brigadier-general, and the Twenty-fifth, Thirty-first and Sixty-second Virginia infantry, and McClanahan's battery, were assigned to his command, for operations in northwest Virginia and the Valley, reporting directly to Gen. Robert E. Lee. With this force he made a successful expedition in northwest Virginia in April and May. During the Gettysburg campaign he raided on the left flank of Lee's army, and on the retreat his services were of great value. General Lee attached to his command eight guns of the famous Washington artillery, Major Eshelman, and other artillery. He made a splendid fight at Williamsport, holding out against the attack of 7,000 men until Fitzhugh Lee came up, saving the trains and the wounded of Lee's army. On July 21st General Imboden was assigned to command of the Valley district, Stonewall Jackson's old district. When General Lee made his Bristoe campaign of October, 1863, Imboden was instructed to advance down the Valley and guard the mountain passes. He captured the garrison at Charlestown on the 18th, for which he was complimented by Lee. Early in May, 1864, he marched from Mount Crawford to meet the invasion under Sigel, and held the Federals in check until, reinforced by Breckinridge, the successful battle of New Market was fought. Breckinridge being called again to Lee, Imboden's small command was pushed back to Mount Crawford, where he was reinforced by Vaughn, and W. E. Jones took command, to meet with serious defeat at Piedmont. General Imboden then, in command of his own, Jackson's and McCausland's brigades, fought Hunter's advance
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