The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-31
HARpER's FERRY, Va, Dec. 26, 1863.

8 HARPER's FERRY, Va, Dec. 26, 1863.
The movements that have just been made
'stbv the troops of General Kelley's command
have greater degree of importance attach
sled to them than the public may at frstsup-
- nose or discover, and it is to the end of ex
81 blaming their Importance, as alsolof furnish
4 ING the reader with clear idea of the ingenious
i and curious combinations, known by the
4 term Strategy" involved in these move
ments that the following account is thus so
mnutely made. -
GEN KELLEY's IDEA OF ITS VALUE
( is thus set forth in the concluding portion
of despatch from his headqus rters, at Cum
berland, Nd, to Gov Boreman, at Whee-
ling
''This is undoubtedly one of the most
hazardous, important and successful raids
since the commencement Of the war. =
''B F. KELLEY, Brigadier General"
THE PLAN
After General Grant had so successfully
defeated Bragg, aud Longstreet was com
pclled to retreat towards w estern Virginia.
Genesal Kelley got information, through
spies and. from other sources, that the rebels
were working to reinforce Longstreet, and
get to him, if necessary, large quantity
Of supplies. Towards the accomplishment
of the latter purpose the enemy took ocea
sion TO accumulate no small quantity Of
stores at Salem. Finding this TO be the
! case General Kelly conceived plan where
4 by Longstreet might be not only seriously
! but dangerously interfered with. First in
Z not getting the needed supplies; second in
having his telegraphic communications cut
ifand interrupted with the Richmond anthora
titles; third, in preventing him from getting
heavy reinforcements by rail, and, fourth,
/ from making an early junction by rail with
General Lee. The plan was submitted to
General Halleck, who, though he did not
disapprove of it. allowed General Kelley to
take the responsibility and do as he desired
and this the more readily on account of the
important manner in which its success
would affect our movements elsewhere.-
No sooner was the plan thus received by
the General-in Chief than General Kelley
got to work to put it into practical opera
ton and to assume all the responsibilities
in the event of defeat.
THE GENERAL MOVEMENT.
On the morning of the 7th Of December
General Scammon moved from Charleston,
q Kanawha county, through Fayette coun-
~ TO Lewisburg, in Greenbriar county
With him was Gen. Duties command. On
the morning of the 9th Col Moore, in com
mand of another column, moved from Bev-
erly in Randolph county, to make demon
,tration from the north against Lewisburg,
while Scamnon pressed on, attacked and
took the place from the west. 1t will be
seen by this that the enemy's attention
would be divided and tend to prevent our
foe from concentrating his whole force in
auy one direction, as he could have done
had we advancsdi in only one column. Again.
when it is found that than one colu mn
advancing on given point, the tendency
to make the attacked party believe the
rength of his opponent to be greater than
really is, and to make the party on the
2iensive keep his main force in some CEN
i to the right or left of his lines This
MS our ebiect;-To make the enemy be-
1--we US to be really advancing on Lewis
ouTg IN heavy force, to take that place,
ten Union, and thus pass on to cut the
'rginia and Tennessee Railroad, in the
| aeighborhood of Christiansburg. How the
enemy fell into this trap will be seen by
Slat followed, which tends to make up the
Ntal of our successes.
GENERAL AvERILL's ADVANCE.
On the morning OF the Sth Gen. Averill
noved from New Creek, in Hampshire
onnty, to Petersburg, in Hardy county,
hence to Franklin, in Pendleton county,
through Highland and Bath counties to
ovington, in Allegheny county. On ar
wing at this point he looked for the safest
md quickest route by which to reach and
ut the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad,
and accomplished his object by reaching
salem, after having marched through Craig
county into Roanoke county. Accompany
ng ten. Averill was another column, under
command Of Col, Thoburn. This latter
column, when it reached Monterey, in
highland county, moved off to the left
| from Averll's forward line of march, to
make demonstration against Staunton, n
Augusta county, while still another column,
Under Gen. Sullivan, threatened Staunton
BY way of Hasrisonburg, in Rockingham
county. Thoburn's column was also put in
Use to protect Averill's train. Gen. Sulli-
ANS column moved from Harper's Ferry
On the morning of the lOsh, up the Shenan-
1oah valley, to threaten Staunton from the
4orth. simultaneously with this another
Column moved from Martinsburg and made
junction with Sullivan at Winche.ter.-I
After this, Colonel Wells command, &C
eordins to Gen. Sullivan's directions, took
Tue advance. Thus it will be seen that all
these columns struck the lines or the points
lrom which the enemy would learn of our
advance about the same time. Hence the
enemY was mysti6ed; but he Judged as we
wanted him to, that Staunton and Union
were in danger The enemy looked upon