Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-12

Oron the n hmsnd pApsssh)
O0YY OF The FACT5 FOUND BY A COURT OF IN.
7EQUIRY AT BEVERLY, VA m TIE CASE OF COL
q. A. P0RTERFIELD.
Furnished by prirss Rsponsrl
Court Of Inquiry, eorsisi Of Col. ". B. Taisier
70, Lieut.. Col John Pegrsm and Capt D. LsDel 8. O
A. reported the following their dseidon In The eass
Of the Surprise OF the Virgins forces ct Phillips:
After mature elaboration, the Court 6ud The follow
ing to be the facts Of the case: force OF Virginia
troops consisting Of some six hundred effective infantry
or tbereabous and one hundred and seyentyhvs esvA
ry or thereaboup sufficiently well armed but badly and
nsutcienty supplied with the necessary sccoutremsnsa
and ammunition, were stationed at Pnllipps, Barbour
county Va, on the morning Of the srd OF June 1851,
where they had been for six seven days. under the
command of COL G. A. Porter6eld, Virginia Volunteers
Ga the morning Of the day Just Indicated ct between
daybreak and sunrise, the command attacked and
taken BY surprise no alarm or ntmston OF the enemy
approach having been given by the guard infantry
pckets, until the enemy we're within foms four hundred
yards Of tho psce, and had commenced the Ere from
his artillery BY the examination il s shown that main
and pcketguard a. strong was consistent with the
effective force Of infantry present. regularly detailed
and posed at distances sufficiently Ear out TO accomplish
tie object In view, provided they knew and did their
duty, which latter strongly to be suspected fpom the
fact that although in advance they failed 10 give any In.
IOtmkuou VI tno hpprUucu OF the encmy-e conCllGon
which BY the Official report Of the mounted
officers out with the scouting parties the night Of the
I'd inst that they had neither any infantry pckes
nor been challenged BY It's sentinel going from or re-
turning to the town that night
1. sppears that Immediately after the arrival Of the
command ct Phlipta, the officer in command Colonel
Porterfed, took measures 10 place bis force, raw aud
nev in service, under OF instruction, and
sc In his opinion the beet fitted to instruct the senti-
nels and guards in their duties The testimony shows
that While there certain degree Of confusion In
some quarters, that portion OF the command moved
from the town In good order and that the whole force
nearly after pasAipg some dsaEce from the town,
formed and proceeded In order.
II Is shovn in the evidence that expectation OF ct.
tack or movement upon Phillppa shortly 10 DO made,
"a, entertained generally amongst the ofcen and others
in command and that intelligence how vel founded is
not known vas brought from mo 70 tine o. the strength
and supposed intent Of the enemy. The testimony sets
forth that this had far produced ia effect induce
the officer in command 10 call meeting Of bis officers
that the result of their consultation aud deliberson
40 almost not unauOocs decision n favor Of retreat;
that when COL Pcrterfed returned TO the M from
which he had boon absent short time their opinion
conveyed him. which he seemed 10th to scoede yet
determined 70 make further examination Of the ammu.
milton on hand aud prepare the baggage and train for
removal o. moments notice. No orders 70 march 1t
any particular time we're given, 30 fer aa can be
gathered from the testimony, although appears from
had or entertained by sone that the movement would
not take paos till morning. while some believed Il
tingeut upon the weather. The record will disclose the
fact of difference OF construction to the hour Of
turp Of the orders given the officer 10 command Of the
cavalry company from which tue scouting party parties
we're taken for duty the night Of the "a.
The tsimony Of several witnesses bears evidence Of
the COOL deliberate and sepossessed conduct Of Colo
mel Porter6eld on the morning Of the Sd Of June.
The Court having been directed to express il opinion
- vol - report the facts, PIT sents the following
/. That the commanding officer having received in
formation deemed by himself sufficient to prepare for al
early retreat erred 10 permitting himself 70 be influenced
By the weather. far as to dsay the execution Of bis
plan.
O. That the commanding officer did order disposition
to BE- made to prevent surpfse but Outstanding
as to the pe 1t which be s;os,s we're to bs called in
and total want of proper vigilance the part Of the
infantry pickes caused surprise which DISTINCT and
definite Instructions properly executed, would have
avoided.
8. That the commanding officer erred in not sdvsnc-
log aud strengthening his piekets beyond the usual
limits under the circumstances.
L. That the commanding oficer exhibited on that oc.
casion decided coolness sefpossession and personal
courage and eIerted himself far possible TO effect
yetreat 10 good order.
Tae nunasr Of the feders ferse attacking vas about
$500.