The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-11-08
HEAD QuARTERs, U. s. VOLUNTEERS, /
GRAFTON. InlY %. 1901

ing statement of facts, showing the operations
Of my command, in attempting to intercept
the retreat, and to capture portion Of Gene.
raj Garnetts army from Laurel Hill. When
River line was in the hands of Col. J. Irvinc's
command, 16th Ohio Reg't and he continued
in charge of the line until the night of the
18th inst.
On the first inst went over the line with
Col Irvine from Rowlesburg To the Cheat riy-
er bridge, five miles above and then gave him
in writing oil of the instructions which | had
received from the Department Head. Quarters,
touching that line The instructions us given
10 me and thus impaired, contemplated Row
lesSurg as the point of support, on the Rail
Road and West Union, distant thirteen miles
as the place for the advance guard to the cast
ward, with scouts further cast, and rs soon rs
practicable, an advance guard towards, orat 81
George. intermediate points were 10 be held,
and, for the whole, including the protection of
three bridges on the Rail Road, the garrison
was to be Increased early, to 1000 men.
From the 4th to the 9th inst, minute re-
connoisance of the line was carried on by my
order, by Col Chas. Whittlescy and Major j.
b. rockingham, Engineers, and the conclus-
ions arrived at reported on the 9th to depart
ment Head.Q Quarters.
On the 9TH inst, % cavalry to serve as vi
Irvlnes command as had also been n G-poudcr
field piece.
On the 12th inst, six companies of the Ohio
9Th, under Col Depuy had joined Col. Irvine,
moving in by way OF Oakland and ChishOlms
mill, and the garrison Mt Rowlcsburg, and
thence five miles up Cheat River, was held by
six companies of the Ohio 10Th, nndcr Col.
@. w. Andrews, and two companies of the
First Virginia.
On the 9th, Col Irvine tclcgraphed me MS
follows:-" Our increased knowledge clearly
indicates the occupancy of the Junction Red
House, as The proper position for our troops"
Referring him to the instructions already giv.
en- and the views of Col. Whttlesey and Ma
jor Frothingham, Col. Irvine was informed on
the same day by telegram that he must act on
his best judgement.
On the 10th inst. Col. Irvine tclcgraphed me
that he intended to move eastward along the
North West pike. He says, MY main force
will be Mt the mill mentioned, (Chisholm's,l <
miles from Oakland, with strong advance
guard at the Red House, say two hundred, or
three hundred men" Our rtelcrraphic cores
pondencc was frequent each day and conduc.
ted with n view to keep each other fully nd
yised of all material facts. On the 18th of
July was called in from Webster ut about |
A. NJ and then | received "A telegram from
Major s. Williams, Assistant Adit. Gen. dated
the 18th ut Beverly and at Roaring Run the
18th, saying -" Gen. Mcclellan having Just
learned that the rebel forces abandoned their
position at Laurel Hill last night, and are now
making for Eastern Virginia, via. the Louis.
vile, ILcedsylle, | and St. George pike. directs
that you take the field at once with all the
force that YOU can make available to cut off
their retreat. Two Penn. Regiments at Cum.
berland have been directed To proceed forth.
with to Rowlesburg by Il special train and re-.
port to YOU You can for the time being with.
draw several companies from points ON the
Railroads between Wheeling and Parkershurg
and concentrate them by special trains. II Is
supposed YOU will be able to take the field
with say six thousand men, including Col. Ir.
vines command and at least guns. No time
Is TO be lost. The rebel force under
Garnett are said to be tonight about six miles
from Leedsville Morris Is following them up."
Immediately telcgraphcd Col Irvine -
"Thc rebels are driven out of Laurel lIilland
in full retreat eastward on ST. Georges pike
Hold your position with frmncss to the last
man. will reinforce you in person, and with
all available forces AS soon as possible"
II was not deemed safe to depend upon any
of the PENNSYLVANIA troops, none came at any
time or rep0rtcd) The suggestion of six
thousand troops and four guns was supposed
to be an approximate rule. To comply with
Il near four thousand troops in detachmcnts
scattered along the line of the two Railroads
to Parkersburg and Wheeling would have to
be gathered up, supplied with n reasonable
amount of baggage teams forage, and @ days
rations; and horses and harnesses must he oh.
tanned Tor the three guns in battery at Grafton.