Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-05-30
The Occupation Of Grafton

On Sunday night Col Kelly, In command CT
the Fiat Regiment Of Virginia volunteers. sta
TONED at Wheeling, received marching orders
They left Wheeling at clock Monday morning
moYing towards Grafton.
After their departure, the 10th Ohio regiment,
,0C0 strong, stationed at Bellaire, under COM
mand Of Col Irvine, crossed the Ohio, and fol-
lowed Col Kelly's command.
The 1ith Ohio regiment, Col. Stedman, crossed
the Ohio at Marietta about the same time and &C.
cupied Parkersburg. At midnigh hit of Monday the
rebels evacuated Grafton I'm great haste Colonel
Kelly was probably In possession Of Grafton yes
terday.
Before crossing the Ohio, Major-General Nc.
Clellan Issued a oc!amation TO the Union men
of Western Virginia setting forth that the troo ps
came there as friends; that their houses homes
families and property Were safe under their pro-
lection; that no interference would he made with
their slaves, but on the contrary any attempt at
insnrrectlon would be crushed with an iron hand,
The Generals proclamation To bis soldiers saws:
You are ordered to cross the frontier and enter
on the soil of Virginia.
Your mission is TO restore peace and conA
dence; to protect the msjesty of the law, and Sc
cure orr brethren from the grasp of armed traitors
place under the safeguard OF your honor the per-
sons and property Of the Virginians. | know you
will respect their feelings and all their rights
and preserve the strictest discipline. Remember
each one OF you holds In his keeping the honor of
Ohio and Of the Union.
lfyou are called upon to overcome armed op-
position, know your courage Is equal 10 the task
Remember that your only foes are armed traitors;
and show mercy even to them when I'm your
power for many Of them are misguided When
under your protection the loyal men Of Western
Virginia sha II have been enabled to organize and
form until they can protect themselves you can
return to your homes with the proud satisfaction
OF having preserved gallant people from destruc-
tion.n
Great excitement was occasioned in Wheeling
on nj onday by the sudden move in the direction
OF Grafton of the United States forces stationed
at Camp Garlic" near the former city. Hun
n
the soldiers, volunteered their services TO 90
along and help to rebuild the bridges on the
Baltimore road which the Secessonists DESTROYED
on Sunday, between Warrington and Farming
ton.
The Wheeling Intelligencer of Tuesday has
the following items in reference to the movement
and its incidents:
On Sunday night about 10 O'Clock the troops at
Camp Carlile received orders from Col Kelley to
prepare to march. Shortly after the order was re-
ce1ved terrible storm burst upon the camp and
continued to increase in violence till towards
morning. such peals OF thunder, vivid flashes
oil lightning, and sheets Of rain are seldom heard
or seen. In the midst of the storm the bo,s went
eagerly TO work, and soon the busy note of pre-.
paratIon was heard all over the camp. After
Maklng tne necessary preparations, which did
not take long, the men went to drilling and firing
All night long the explosion of the Mimic mus
kets responded TO the roaring and flashing Of
heavens artillery above. About daylight the
men commenced marching over to the CITY in a
very quiet manner, and company after company
tramped into the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Depot, and wagon loads of camp eauipage and
munitions followed The report OF the move
ment was soon known throuy nout the CITY and
hundreds Of people crowded about the depot-
dInong whom was large number Of ladies' the
wives, sisters and mothers Of the soldiers After
a leave taking and about o'clock the train
moved oil amidst the cheers of the multitude and
the waving Of handker"hiefs and other enthusi-
astlc demonstrations. The Object Of the move
ment is not thoroughly understood, though Col
helley is supposed TO be acting In concert with
other forces
A company Of "a men, from CIarksburg Va
came up on Sunday on the steamer Ohio No g
ior the purpose OF enlising here in the service
but after short consultation they steamed nd and
returned home. They doubtless went back TO
act In concert With the troops which left here
yesterday morning
Alter the departure of the Wheeling BOYS from
lamp Garlic yesterday morning, the Sixteenth
ONO Regiment, quarteTed at Bellair NUMBERING
one thousand and ten men, under command Of
colonel irvine, crossed the river at BenwoOd
ABOUT IL O'Clock train Of some dozen cars left
that place for Grafton bearing three or four hun
dred OF the men. About 3 O'Clock another left
with The balance, leaving only a small detach-
ment behind to mold the Benwood depot, Of
winch they took formal possession.
The telegraph operator at Benwood a man
named Maury, supposed to entertain secession
sentiments, was driven out Of the office there
ana Ills place supplied by Charles J. Harrison Of
this city. George w. Harrison, of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, went ont with Col KrlIev,s
Regiment, for the purpose OF taking Possession
OF Inc telegrarhc instruments along the route
ana an experienced operator also accompanied
Col. Irvine. ''N