Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-07-16
,TAUNT0E SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER.
Copy of the Facts found by Court of In
quiry, at Beverly, Va, in the Case OF
Col. G.. A. POrterfield.

Copy of the Facts found by Court of In
quiry, at Beverly, Va, in the Case of
Col. G. A. Porterfeld.
Furnished by private Reporter]
A Court Of Inquiry, consisting of Col. W. B
Taliaferro Lieut. Col. John Pegram and Capt.
De Legnel, @ S. A., reported the following as
their decision in the case of the surprise of the
Virginia forces at Phillpp:
after mature deliberation, the Court find
the following to be the facts of the case A
force of Virginia troops, consisting of some six
hundred effective infantry, or thereabouts, and
one hundred and seventy-6ve cavalry, or there
abouts, sufficiently well armed, but badly and
INSULT ently supplied with the necessary accou-
trements and ammunition, were stationed at
Philippi, Barbour county, Va, on the morning
Of the Sd Of June, 1861, where they had been for
six or seven days, under the command of Col. G.
"A. Porterfeld, Virginia Volunteers On the
morning OF the day just indicated, at between
Idaybreak and sunrise, the command was attack
ed and taken by sHrprise, no alarm or intimation
of the epe,ny's approach having been given ty
the guard or infantry pckets, until the enemy
were within some four hundred yards of the
place, and had commenced the fire from his ar
tillery. By the ex animation it is shown that a
main and picket guard, as strong as was consist
ent with the effective force Of Infantry present,
was regua aarly detailed aud posted at distances
sufficiently tar out to accomplish the object in
view, provided they knew and did their duty,
which latteris strongly to be suspected, from the
tact that although in advance, they failed to give
any intmation of the approach of the enemy-a
conclusion which is strengthened by the official
report of the mounted officers out with the scout
ing parties on the night ot the Cd inst that they
had neither seen any infantry pickets nor been
challenged by its sentinel, going from or return.
ing to the town that night.
1t appears that Immediately after the arrival
Of the command at Phillippi, the officer in COM
mand, Col. Porterfield, took measures to place
his force, which was raw and new in service
under course of instruction, and to select, in
his opinion, the best fitted to instruct the senti-
nels and guards ia their duties The testimony
shows that while there was certain degree o.
confusion IN some quarters, that q pof ton of the
command moved from the town in good order
and that the whole force nearly, after passing
some distance from the town, reformed and pro
ceeded in order.
/ 1t is shewn in the evdencetha an expectation
of attack or movement upon Phiilpp, shortly te
be made, was entertained generally among the
officers and others of the command, and that in
telligence, how well founded is not known, wa:
brought from time to time OF the strength anC
supposed intent of the enemy. The testimony
sets forth that this had so far produced its etfec
as to induce the officer in command TO call
meeting fhis officers; that the result Of their
consultation and deliberation was an almost, il
not unanimous, decision iG favor of retreat; tha
when Col. .Porterfeldreturned To the room, from
which he had been absent a short time, I'll cir O.
pinion was conveyed to him, to which he SEEM
ed 10th to accede; yet dete rmin.d to make
> further examination of the Ammunition on hand
4 TO ho hofr
al at moments notice. No orders TO Il arch a
any particular time were given, so far as can bt
2 gathered from The testimony, although it appears
from the testimony that an understanding, or i'm
preston, was had or enter tanned by soma thai
, the movement would not take place till nl rniDg
while some believed it contingent upcn- the
weather. The record will disclose the fact of
difference OF construction as to the hour of re-
turn, OF the orders given to the officer in com
mand of the cavalry company from which the
scouting party or parties were taken for duty or
the night of the 2d.
The testimony OF several witnesses bears evi
dence of the cod, deliberate and selt-possesse(
conduct OF Col. Porterfeld on the morning of the
; 81 OF Jrne
The court having been directed to express it:
opinion, well as report the facts, presents tht
> following:
) l. That the commanding officer having re-
ceived information deemed by himself suficien
to prepare for an early retreat, erred in permit
ting himself to be Influenced by the weather, Sc
far as to delay the execution OF his plan.
4 2. That the commanding officer did order dis
position TO be made to prevent surprise, but
misunderstanding as to the time at which the
scouts were to b. called in, and total want o
proper vigilance on the part OF the infantry pick
bets, caused surprise W hich distinct aud definite
; instructions, properly executed, would have a.
voided.
3. That the commanding officer erred in no
, ad ancing and strengthening his pickets beyOn(
; the usual limits, under the circumstances.
4. That the commanding officer exhibited or
that occasion decided coolness, self-posses5ion
and pers nal courage, and exerted himself as ia
IS possible, to effect retreat in good order
/ The number of the Federal force attacking
} was about $500.