Alice I am not an expert on Virginia locations but here is a message from the OR which originated from Camp "Pierpoint", Va. and mentions several other locations including Dranesville as a place where [CSA] cavalry could be captured. Battery A of the First Artillery was attached to "McCall´s Pennsylvania Reserve Division" at the time of the message below. More investigation could show if it is the same General George A McCall. Also mentioned was the First Pennsylvania Cavalry (44th Pa Vols) Co.s C, E, D, H, and I in this area at this time. In Dyer for those two units the spelling was Camp "Pierpont", Va, but it appears to be the same place as I read it. There was an "action at Dranesville" mentioned in Dyer for both units on 20 December 1861 the day after the day the message was written. Mike HEADQUARTERS MCCALL'S DIVISION, Camp Pierpoint, Va., December 19, 1861. GENERAL: You will please move in command of your brigade at 6 a.m. to-morrow, on the Leesburg pike, in the direction of Dranesville. The First Rifles, Pennsylvania Reserves, Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, have been ordered to form right in front on the pike near Commodore Jones' house and await your arrival, when the commanding officer will report to you for further orders. Captain Easton's battery has been directed to form on the left of the Rifles. The captain will report to you for orders. Two squadrons of cavalry will also be placed under your command. The senior officer will report to you this evening for orders. Sherman, the guide, will likewise report to you for duty. The object of this expedition is twofold: In the first place, to drive back the enemy's pickets, which have recently advanced within 4 or 5 miles of our lines (leaving a force of about 70 cavalry at Henderson's), and carried off two good Union men, and threatened others; and, secondly, to procure a supply of forage. It has to-day been reported to me that there is a force of about 100 cavalry lying between Dranesville and the river. This force might be captured or routed by sending a regiment of infantry up the pike beyond their position, to strike their rear by a flank movement to the right, while your disposable cavalry, after picketing the cross-roads near Dickey's, might move near the river, and attack them in front or on the left. Should you not arrive at Dickey's in time to make this movement and leave the ground on you return before nightfall, it must not be undertaken, as I do not wish any part of your command to remain out over night. The forage will be procured at Gunnell's or at some other rank secessionist's in the neighborhood of Dickey's. Direct your quartermaster to confine the selection of forage to corn and hay. Captain Hall will have charge of the wagon train. The regiment intended to move forward from Dickey's (if you think proper, Jackson's) might ride in the wagons as far as Dickey's, and then be fresh for the forward movement.. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. A. McCALL, Brigadier-General General, Commanding-Division. Brig. Gen. E. O. C. ORB, Commanding Third Brigade. > Does anyone on the list know where this camp was located?

Mike, Thanks a lot. You more than answered my question. <G> Alice -- Pennsylvania in the Civil War http://www.pa-roots.com/~pacw/