The New York herald., 1862-08-11

cncmy win 10 arrested and Kept "a close cusody and all
arrested ana heid for examination sM
Copies Of this PROCLAMATION were frocly distributed
among the sitfzsns or Western Virginia its arm decisive,
concatory tone for author the respect and
esteem of the l,erity Of these within his military de-.
psrtment Soon ater the issuing OF this proclamation
porcopbe eminuton In the numbcr Of outragss by tho
rebels occurred and Of security growing
and more established every day.
General Mcc!eans attention and time was now dvi-
ded between making arrangements for advance on tho
rebels and properly guarding his avenues or supplies
against surprise ncursions from the rebeis One
two handrod miles Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
his possession this required careful guarding
It's route in many places In deep chasms creeks
crossed ly wooden bridges These places required
cn,ion this end large dstachents OF troops were
placed on them - permanent guards. Cumberland
formed the extreme northeastern limit OF General Nc
Cleans lines. This place in the occupancy Of the
Eleventh Indiana Zouayes, and subsequently by
forcement Of two Pennsylvania regiments. Phlippi
Webster and Carksburg. all diverging from Grafton
ccntre each occupied by goody number Of troops
ready for forward movement.
On tho 2sh Of June General Mcclellan issued the fol-
lowing address to his army
To The SOLDIERS Army THE WEsr:--
You are here TO support the or your
try and protect lives and liberties your brethren
threatened By rcbeii0us os NO higher n0blsr duty
performance the highest and nobisss qualities Of sol.
diers-dscipine, courage and mercy. call upon the
officers OF every grade 70 enforce tho highest discipline,
and know that those OF all grades, prvates and officers
will display In battle cool and heroic courage and will
know how to show mercy to disarmed enemy. Bear in
mics that you are here 10 protect and not to destroy
Take nothing destroy nothing unless ordered 20
do so by your general officers. Remember that have
their rights person and property shall be respected
ask every one Of you to make good this promise IN
not to upturn. ! do not appeal 70 the fear
or punishment but to your appreciation Of the
into battle the conviction you are right and that God Is
our side. Your enemies have violated every moral
law neither man can sustain them They have,
without cause, rebeed against mild ana patcrnal gov
ernmsnt have seized upon public and private property;
they have outraged the Of Northern men merely
because they from the North, and OF Southern
Union men merely because they love the Union they
have placed themselves beneath contempt unless they
can retrieve some honor on the field Of battle. You will
pursue different You will be honest brave and
mercifu You will respect the right OF public opinion
You will punish for opinions sake, Show TO the
world that you differ from enemies in these points OF
honor honesty and respect for private opinion and that
inaugurate reign Of horror whore Co. Soldiers
] have heard that there was danger here. ! have
place myself your head and share 1t with you.
fear but ono thing that you will not find foemen
worthy Of your steel know that can rely upon you.
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
THE FORWARD MOVEMENT.
General McCiellans troops having all arrived in the
vicinity Of Grafton June 2s) he at once commenced TO
brigade them. The first brigade was assigned to Brga
der General Rosecrans the second under Brgadier Gene
raj Morris, the third under General Schlach, and the
fourth under Brlgader General HILL These troops
composed Of infantry and artillery the cavalry forming
a small portion Of the whole. Mcclellan was fully ap-
priced the movements Of the enemy at Laurel Hill and
Rich Mountain. Hsresolved TO give them battle. His
plan Of attack was as follows
General Rosecrans' and General SchIaichs brigades
were to move from Carksburg, pursuing the read to
Buchanan, via Weston, and by that route the
rebel position at Rich Mountain. This called the
main column.
General Morris was to proceed via Phippi aud Birng
ton, threaten Garnes (rebeD position at Laurel Hill
The main attack to be made at Rich Mountain. II
that position fell Garnets position would be turned, and
his rendered matter Of necessity and in that
Merrs to fa him and cut him up In dstaiI.
General Hills brigade was to remain at Grafton, to cut
OF Garnes retreat at West Union Red House in case
Morris failed to secure him. when he (Hi should bs in
formed OF the retreat Of the rebel column.
The plan excellent, plain, tangible and promised
success.
THE MARCH BEGUN.
The brigade OF General Rosecrans, consisting Of the
Seventeenth and Nineteenth Ohio Eighth and Tenth In
-
General Mcclellan and the base operations) tho osh
of June in the direction Of Buchanan General Sehiach
brigade consisting OF the Third and Fourth Ohio troops
moved the same day. They marched to point twenty
miles from Carksburg, and within seven miles OF Bu-
chsnan.
GENERAL MCCLELLAN.
General Mcclellan aud staff remained at ClarIsbuTg
until July q when they pursued the route to join Rose
Grams column
MOVEMENTS or GENERAL NORRIS COLUMN.
On Sunday, July Z, at two O'Clock P. b., General
Morris division left Phlpp TO take their part in the
general plan Of action. General Norris had force
of between six and seven Thousand men. laurel
Hill (the ensmy's posiicn) was thirteen miles distant
from Philippi. The command OF the advance brigade
was given by General Morris his chief engineer ocsr
Captain Bsnam Of the United States Engineer corps,
an officer Of great experience and skill Judgment
had before been tested by the conduct Of several difficult
operations. Captain Benhsm had thoroughly explored
and mapped the country and his accurate delnsaons Of
the topography had given essential aid in the planning Of
the expedition BY skiifuly availing himself Of the Pc
culariss Of the country he avoided the necessity OF
thrice fordng stream as had been supposed necessary
by the Commanding General in order TO avoid dsfles,
where effective resistance might be offered and then
brought the army It's designated position some two
hours earlier than would have been possible otherwise
to the complete surprise OF the enemy Here posuon
was chosen Burlington, the opposite side Of the
valley from Laurel Hill. and within rife shot Of the
enemys ntrenchmen.s; and, Notwithstanding repeated
attacks and skirmshes with the enemy, II was success.
fully fortified
A BRISK sKrRMIsH. eA.
A. two o'clock on the sth OF July, from
General Morris point OF observation, a high
hill near his position, and overlooking the snsmy's
camp At Laurel Hill, two large bodies OF rebel
troops marching cut Of their camp towards
the Union lines Instant preparations were made to
sist formidable attack BY four O'Clock p NJ the skir
mshns front sf the Fourteenth Ohio and Ninth Indiana
regiments became very warm The rebels advanced IN
der cover Of the woods close rs TO bullets upon
the Union artillery battery large force Of skrmshers
was sent forward to engage the enemy, and skr.
mishers instantly rushed forward pouring In sharp vol.
lsys and killing many Of the enemy The enemys cavalry
then advanced around 70 tho farther skirt Of the woods 10
taLo skSrrai tho Aaut Cur trno,u rauiav