Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-19
THE WESTERN VIRGINIA ARMY.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE AFFAIR AT PHlLLpPA
The following is Colonel DuMoSr's report in
full, "a rendered to General Morris, command


The following is Colonel DuMoxr's report in
full as rendered to General Morris, command
ing:
PAIEIrrPA, VA, June 4, 1861.
Brigddier General T. 4. Norris:
herewith transmit to you n report of the ope-
ratons of my command on the morning of the
81 day of June, 1861, at this place.
On the Cd day of June, you directed me with
eight companies of the Seventh Indiana Reg-
ment OF Indiana Volunteers, to proceed to Web
ster-that | would there be reinforced with four
companies of the Ohio volunteers, under the
command of Col. Steedman; the artillery of his
command being under the command OF Lieut..
Col Sturgess, and with four companies of the
Sixth Indiana volunteers, under the command of
Col. Crittenden At : o'clock p NJ, Oh the ID
day OF June, took up my line of march from
Grafton, and at Webster was reinforced as stated
above, and proceeded toward this place to meet
the enemy.
The night very dark, and before the troops
LETT the cars terrible storm Was raging, which
continued without abatement until just before the
attack made. 1t exceedingly dark
that it was with the utmost difficulty that could
form the command in the order which | desired
to move it forward, and after it formed,
found it almost impossible to pass from front to
rear to direct the command. The order of march
follows: First, small detachment of
twenty men of Capt. Morgans company, 7th In-
diana volunteers. under the immediate command
OF Lieut.. Benz. Ricketts,, followed at the distance
of four hundred yards by Company A, of said
regiment, under command of Capt. Jas. Burgess
In the rear of that company, and at the distance
of 400 PAGES, followed the remaining compa-
MES of the Seventh Indiana regiment. The ar
tillery ives led by Lieut.. Colonel Sturgiss, and
seven companies ofthe Fourteenth Ohio regiment
commanded by Colonel Steedman, and the four
companies of the Sixth Indiana regiment, COM
manded by Colonel Crittenden, followed in the
order named. Darkness, rain and mud mpeded
the march and rendered it impossible to arrive
before Phillpa at four o'clock A. NJ, the time
indicated in your order. At FIVE O'Clock A. NJ,
the advance took such position by a file move
ment under the direction of Colonel Lander, as
to allow the artillery to advance to the front;
then advanced Immediately in the rear of the
artillery. Scarce had this disposition been made
when the picket of the enemy opened a brisk fire
upon us from the heights Immediately above the
town, and from the roads and bushes on both
sides of the road. Lieutenant Colonel Sturgiss,
with great promptness got the guns in position to
command the town, and under the direction of
Colonel Lander Il think) opened the fire. A
moments delay to the infantry vas occasioned by
want of knowledge on my part as to which of the
two roads led to the bridge leading into the town
across the river. At the forks of the road
halted my command. and riding rapidly to the
guns, got the desired information from Col. Fred.
Lander. So informed, proceeded on the