Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-04-30

Colonel C. A. Porterfield. of the Virginia volun-
teers. TO examine into the circumstances OF tho
retreat of the Virginia forces from Phllippi on
the 3Fd of June, under his command. has re-
ported the following facts in the case
six hundred effective infaatry Cor thereaoouts.l
and one hundred and seventy-fve cavalry t"r
thereabouts0 insutficlently supplied with the
necessity accOutrementS aud ammunition, was
stationed Mt Philippi. Barbour county. Va, on
the morning of the Ord of June, 1861, (where
they had been for some six or seven daJs); IN
der the command of Col. Geo. A. Porter field, OF
the Virginia volunteers.
On the morning of the day just indicated, Mt
between daybreak and sunrise, this command
was attack and taken bv surprise, no alarm or
intimation of the enemy's approach ha wing been
given by the guard. or infantry pickets. until
the enemy was within some four hundred yards
of the place, and bad commenced the fire from
his artillery. By the examination 1t Is shown
that n main and picket guard, as strong as was
consistent with the infantry force present, was
regularly Detailed aud posted at distances suf-
hcientlS far out to accomplish the object IN
view, provided they knew and did their duty,
the fact that, although in advance, they failed
to give any intinatiOn of the enemys approach.
conclusion which is strengthened by the
othcial report of the mounted officers out with
the scouting parties on the night of the 2d of
June, that they had neither seen infantry
picket nor been challen ged by its sentries going
to or returning from the town that nipht.' 1t
appears that Immediately upon the arrival of
the command at Phiiirpi. the ofticer in COM
his force, which was raw and new In service.
under com Sc of instruction and TO select those
tinels and guards in their duties. The testi-
mony shows that while there q certain de-
| the command moved from the town in good
order. and that the whole force. nearly. after
| passing some distance from the town. rec
| formed and proceeded in order.
1t is shown in the evidence, that an expects
! tion OF attack, or move upon Philippi, shortly
| TO bo made. was entertained generally, among
the officers and others of the command, and that
intcllieence. lhow well founded is not knownl
was brought from time to time, of the strength
and supposed intent of tho enemy.
The testimony sets forth. that this had so far
produced its effect. rs to induce the officer in
| command to call a meeting of his officers; that
the result OF the consultations and deliberations
| was an almost. If not unanimous. decision in
| favor of immediate retreat. to which Col. Por.
| tclfield seemed 10th to accede. yet determined
| to make a further examination of the ammu-
| milton on hand, and to prepare the baggage and
| train for removal ut n moments notice.
| No orders to march nt any particular tlme
| were given, so far as can be gathered from tho
| testimony, although 1t appears that an under
standing, or impression was had or entertained
| by some that the movement would not take
place un tIl morning, while some believed it con-
| t,nGent upon the weather
ence of construction, Gas to the hour of return,)
of the orders given to the officer 10 command of
the cavalry company. from which the scouting
party, or parties, was taken for duty on the
night of the 2nd instant.
The testimony of several witnesses bears evil
dence of the cool, deliberate and scf-possessed
conduct of Col. Porterfield on the morning of
the 81 d of June.
The court having been directed to express its
opinion. rs well as to report facts, present the
/. That the commanding officer did order dis
positions to be made to prevent surprise but n
misundcrsta andiug as to the time at winch the
scouts were to be called in. and total want of
vigilance on the part OF the infantry pickets,
caused 4 surprise, which distinct and definite
instructions properly executed would have
3. That the commanding officer erred, in not
advancing and strengthening lis pickcts be-
yond the usual limits under the circumstances
4. That the commanding officer exhibited
upon the occasion decided coolDess, self posses
sion and personal courage, aud e1erted himself
as far as possible, to effect retreat in good
IL The Commanding General having atten-
lively CONSIDERED the proceedings of the Court
of inquiry in the foregoing coucurs in the
opinion expressed by the conrt. in the state
ment of the facts deduced from The testimony.
These facts show. that the position at Philippi
was seriously threatened by n superior force of
the enemy. distant ONLY four hours march that
Col PorteIfield was aware of the danger of his
position. and prudently prepared to eyncuate 1t.
His desire to prevent the occupatio of the town
by the enemy worthy of all praise; and
had he prudently sent back his baggage and in
effective men. arranged his plan OF defence. and
taken proper measures to secure Information OF
the advance of the enemy. he III, ight safely have
retained his position. and either given battle or
retired, rs circumstances might dictate 1tdoes
not appear from the record of the court, that
any plan of defence was formed; but 1t does
appear, that the troops retired without bis
orders, and that the instructions to his advance
guard, were either mlsconcelved or not exc
cuttd.
To these circumstances must be attributed
the disaster that followed. and they call for
heavy ceusure upon all concerned.
The Commanding General remarks with plea
snre upon the cooiness self-possessiOn, courage
and energy, displayed by Col. POrterfieid at the
moment of attack: but he cannot exhonerate
him from blame. in not taking proper pTecau-
tIonary measures beforehand. Yet in consider
alton of all the circumstances of the case, he
express the opinion of the court, in hope that
the SAID effects produced BY the want of fore
thought and vigilance, as exhibited in this case,
VIII be n lesson to be remembered by the army
throughout the war:
B. Talliaferro, Virginia Volunteers is President,
is dissolved.
By command of General Leo.
GEO. DEAs. A. A. G..
From these proceedings the public may see
the extent to " hich blame may properly at
tach to Inc.
Gen. Robert S. Garnett was next sert to
this part of the State, with several select
regiments, and scme artillery, from Rich
mond, and took command on the l4th OF
June. His whole force, amounting TO about
eight thousand men, was we'll supplied in
every respect, and had with it a number of
experienced officers. Gen. Garrett en-
trenched himself with the greater part of this
army at the western base of Laurel Hill,
abou. twelve miles north of Beverly. BE
left Colonel Pegram, with about fifteen hun.
dred men, on Rich Mountain, a few miles
west of Beverly, to secure his rear and keep
open his line of communication.
Gen. McClellen menaced Garnett's front at
Laurel Hill, gained and occupied his atten-
tion, whilst at the same time he turned Gar
nett's position at that point. aud moving
around by Buckhannon with the greater part
of his force, he attacked and finally captured
Pegram's command on Rich Mountain,
which also surprised and defeated Garrett at
Laurel Hill As this success gave McCIel-
Ian fnlI nnssessinn Of Garnnf rear his da.