The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-10
Copy u the Facts fsnnd By Csurt or In.
curry, &C Beverley. Va, I'm the Casel Of
Gel. q. A. Perterneld.

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suIry, &C Beverley. Va, I'm the Casel Of
Gel. q. A. Psrterfleld.
Furnished by private Reps1o
A Court OF INQUIRY, consisting of Col w.
Is. Taiiaferro, Lieut.. Col. john Pegfam and
Capt DE Laxnel, s. q. A reported the fol-
lowing their decision in the case OF the snr-
prise Of the Virginia forces at Fnill!ppl;
"After mat delibera ton, the Court lind
the following 70 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 hve cavalry.
or thereabouts, sufficiently well armed, but
badly and insufficlently supplied with the
necessary Announcements and ammunition,
were stationed at Phillippi, 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. q. a. For ter Held
Virginia Volunteers. On the morning OF the
day inst indicated, at between daybreak and
sunrise, the command was attacked ana taken
by surprise, no alarm or intimation OF the
enemy's approach having been given by the
guard or infantry pickets, until the enemy
were within some four hundred yards OF the
place. and had commenced the nre from his
ARTILLERY BY the examination it is shown
that main and picket guard, as strong as was
consistent with the effective force OF infantry
present, was regularly detailed and pos ted at
distances sufficiently far out TO accomplish Inc
object in view, provided they knew and did
their duty, which latter is strongly to be sus-
pected, from the fact that although In ad
vance, they failed to give any lnnmaton OF
the approach of the enemy-a conclusion
which is streng thened by the official report OF
the mounted officers out with the scouting
parties on the night OF the I'd inst, that they
had neither seen any infantry pickets nor been
challenged by its sentinel, going from or re-
turning to the town that night.
Itappears that Immediately after the arri-
val of the command at Phillippi, the officer in
command, Col. Porterfeld, took mees ures 70
place his force, which was raw and new in
service, under course OF instruction, and to
select, in his opinion, the best fitted to in
struct the sentinels and guards in their duties
The testimony shows that while there was
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 p: ssing some dis lance from
the town, reformed and proceeded in order.
1t Is shown in the evidence that an e1pecta-
ton Of attack or movement upon Phthippi,
shortly to be made, was entertained generally
AMONG the officers and others of the command,
and that intelligence, how we'll founded Is not
known, was brought from time time OF the
strength and supposed intent OF the enemy
The testimony sets forth that this had so FAR
produced Its effect as to induce the on1cer IN
command TO call a meeting OF his omcers !;
that the result of their consultation and de.
liberation was an almost, II not unanlmous,
decision in favor OF retreat; that When Vol
Porterfield returned to the room, from which
he had been absent short time, their opinion
was conveyed to MIN, to which he seemed 10th
to accede; yet de terlnined TO make Iurther
examination Of the ammunition on hand, ana
to prepare the baggage and train for removal
at a moments notice. No orders TO marcn At
any particular time were given, SO far as can
be gather ed from the testimony, although IL
appears from the testimony That an UNDER
standing, or impression, was had or en- Ter
tanned by some that the movement Wouio not
take place till morning, while some believed
it contingent upon the weather. Inc record
will disclose the TACT Of a difference OF con-
structiou as TO the hour OF return, OF the
orders gwen to the officer in command OF the
cavalry company from. which the scouting
par ty or parties were TAKEN Lor uuty VA tAe
night of the I'd.
The ties timony Of several witnesses bears
evidence OF the cool, deliberate and self-pos-
sessed conduct OF Col. Porterfield on the
morning Of the Sd OF June.
The Court having been directed to express
its opinion, as well as report the facts, pre-
sents the following
/. That the commanding officer having re-
ceived information deemed by himself sufi-
cient to prepare for al early retreat, erred in
permitting himself to be influenced by the
weather, SO far as TO delay the execution Of
his plan.
2. That the commanding officer did order
disposition to be made to prevent surprise, but
a misunderstanding as to the time at which
the scouts We're to be called in, and a total
want of proper vigilance on the part of the
infantry pickets, caused surprise which dis
tinct and definite instructions, properly exc
cuted, would have avoided.
3. That the commanding officer erred in not
advancing and strengthening his pickets be-
yord the usual limits, under the circum-
stances.
4. That the commanding officer exhibited
On that occasion decided GOODNESS sef-posses-
sion, and personal courage, and exerted him
self, as far as possible, to effect retreat in
good order.
The number of the Federal force attacking
was about 3 800.