Although Confederate Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon’s division guarded the ford and Brig. Gen. Gabriel C. Wharton’s rested nearby, Crook and Wright had concluded that only a strong rear guard was in the area. Crook decided to bypass the strong Confederate defenses at Castleman’s Ferry and flank their position from the north. Just before 1:00 p.m., Crook assigned Colonel Thoburn command of the troops slated to cross the river. By 2:00 p.m., they had marched through the gap and halted at the overlook for Thoburn to confer with Crook. “The impression,” wrote Thoburn, “was that the enemy had retreated leaving only a rear guard to dispute our passage of the river.” Crook instructed Thoburn to march the division two miles downstream (north) and cross the Shenandoah at Island Ford (see Pg. 65). Once across, Thoburn should advance upstream and drive off the Confederate rear guard blocking the Castleman’s Ferry-Snicker’s Ford area. A deserter from the Stonewall Brigade guided the Federals through the unfamiliar country, as he knew the ground well, having worked in the vicinity before the war.8

Col. Joseph Thoburn, born in County Antrim, Ireland, had volunteered for three months’ service as surgeon for the 1st West Virginia Infantry in 1861. When the regiment reorganized for three-years’ service, Thoburn received the appointment as Colonel. His wartime experiences had familiarized him with the Shenandoah Valley, having in 1862 fought at Kernstown and Port Republic against Stonewall Jackson, and in 1864 at the Battles of New Market and Piedmont.
Col. George D. Wells’ brigade led Thoburn’s column through the ravine at the western base of the Blue Ridge toward the Shenandoah River. The troops moved by a circuitous path concealed by a heavy growth of laurel. Moving through a gap in the bluffs, they passed “The Retreat” (see Pg. 63) home of Judge Richard E. Parker, who had presided over John Brown’s trial in 1859. Upon the heights above the gap, Thoburn deployed Battery E, 1st West Virginia Light Artillery.
At about 3:30 p.m., Wells reached the river, which was not as deep as usual because of a summer-long drought. Two long, narrow islands split the river into two unequal parts, hence the name Island Ford. Thick woods blanketed both banks, which ranged from eight to ten feet above the waterline in many places.

Federal skirmishers lined the riverbank concealed by dense vegetation and opened fire at the Virginians guarding Island Ford. Then the 34th Massachusetts and a battalion of the 5th New York Heavy Artillery (armed as infantry) quickly crossed the river and drove off the pickets and captured a dozen Confederates. From them the Federals learned that Breckinridge’s Corps was within one mile of the ford and Rodes was only a few miles away. This was, observed a cynical Federal, “pleasant information” to receive with the Shenandoah at their backs. Thoburn decided against the movement toward Castleman’s Ferry and hurried a staff officer back to apprise Crook of the development and to request further instructions. The lack of cavalry haunted the Federals as they had no mounted troops to scout the west bank and provide early warning of approaching Confederates.9

The staff officer found Crook and Wright atop the bluff observing troop deployments. Learning of Early’s strength and proximity, Crook requested Wright’s permission to withdraw Thoburn from the west bank, but the VI Corps chief demurred. Instead, he ordered Brig. Gen. James B. Ricketts’ division to Thoburn’s assistance. Crook sent word to Thoburn to suspend the movement to Castleman’s Ferry, but to take a strong position near Island Ford and wait for Ricketts; then Crook accompanied Ricketts to the ford to oversee his crossing.10

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