Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-05-11

| posed intent of the enemy.
! The testimony sets forth, that this had
so far produced its effect, rs to induce the
officer in command to call meeting of
| his officers; that the result of the consul
tations and deliberations was an almost,
| ifnOt unanimous, decision in favor of i'm
mediate retreat, to which Col. Porterheld
seemed 10th To accede, yet determined TO
make a further examination of the ammu-
milton on hand and 10 prepare the baggage
and train for removal al moment
notice.
No orders to march at any particular
time were given, so far a3 can be gathered
from the testimony, although it appears
that an understanding, or impression was
had or entertained by some that the move
ment would not take place until morning,
while some believed it contingent upon
the weather.
The record will disclose the fact of
difference of construction, (as 10 the hour
! OF return of the orders given 10 the otii-
Ger in 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 evidence of the cool. deliberate and
self-poSseSsed conduct of Col. Porteriield
on the morning Of the Bird OF June.
The court having been directed 10 eX-
! press its opinion, aS well as to report
facts, present the following:
l. That the commanding officer did
order dispositions TO be made 10 prevent
surprise, but a misunderstanding as 10 the
time Ut which the scouts were 10 be called
in. and total want of vigilance on the
part of the infantry pickets, caused sur
B " Al
StructiOns properly executed would have
avoided.
). That the commanding officer erred,
in not advancing and strengthening his
! picketS beyond the usual limits under the
. circumstances.
1. That the commanding officer eX
hibitcd upon the occasion decided cool
ness, self possession and personal courage,
and eXerted himself aS far rs possible, To
effect retreat in good order.
II. The Commanding General having
attentivcly considered the proceedings OF
the Court of Inquiry in the foregoing case
concurs in the opinion expressed by tue
court in the statement of the facts deduc-
ed from the testimony.
These facts show, that the position ut
Philippi was seriously threatened by Il
SUPERIOR force of the enemy, distant only
!
was aware of the danger of his position,
and prudently prepared to cvacuate 1t.
His desire TO prevent the occupation OF
the town by the enemy was worthy OF all
praise and had he prudcntly sent back
his baggage and Ineffective men, arrang-
ed his plan of defence, and taken proper
measures to secure information of the
advance of the eneIly, he might safely
have retained his position, and either Civ
ell battle or retired, as circumstances
might dictate. 1t does not appear from
the record of the court, that any plan OF
defence was formed; but it does appear,
that the troops retired without his orders,
and that the instructions 10 his advance
guard, were either miSconceiyed or not
executed.
TO these circumstances must be attribu-
ted the disaster that followed, and they
call for heavy censure upon all concerned.
The Commanding General remarks
with pleasure upon the GOODNESS, selt-pos-
session, courage and energy, displayed
by Col. Porterleld at the moment of at
tack; but he cannot eXhonerate him from
blame in not taking proper precautionary
measures beforehand. Yet in consldera-
ton of all the circumstances of the case,
he does not think ii necessary to do more
than TO express the opinion of the court,
in hope that the said effects produced by
the want Of forethought and vigilance, as
exhibited in this case, will be IA lesson 10
be remembered by the army throughout
the war.
Ill. The Court of Inquiry Of which Col.
VIM. Il. Talliaferro, Virginia Volunteers
is President, is dissolved.
BY command of General Lee,
GEO. DEAs, A. A. G.
From these proceedings the public
nav SEE the extent TO " hich blame may
properly attach to me.
Gen. Robert 5. Gdrnett was next sent
to this part of the State, with several
select regiments, and some artillery,
from Richmond, aud took command on
the l4th OF June. His whole force,
amounting to about eight thousand men,
was well supplied in every respect, and
had with it a number OF experienced Of
fcers. Gen. Garnett entrenched him
self with the greater part Of this army
at the western base OF Laurel Hill,
about twelve miles north Of Beverly.
He left Colonel Pegram, with about fiji
teen hundred men, on Rich Mountain,
few miles vest Of Beverly, to secure
his rear and keep open his line OF com.
munlcation.
Gen. Mcclellan menaced Garnet S
front at Laurel Hill, gained and occu-
pied lis attention, whilst at the same
time he turned Garnetts position at
that point, and moving around by Buck
haunon with the greater part of his
force, he attacked and finally captured
Pegram's command on Rich Mountain,
which also surprised and defeated Gar
nett ut Laurel Hill As this success
gave Mcclellan full possession of Gar
nett's rear, his depot at Beverly and bis
only safe line OF retreat, Garnet broke
his camp at Laurel Hill without delay,
aud began bis retreat over narrow,
circuitous aud unknown mountain by
road, by which be hoped to reach Mon
tercy, a point III his line east Of the Al
lephenes. Had he been detained at
Laurel Hill, or intercepted near Oak
land. as Mcclellan had ordered, his en-
tire command would hardly have es-
| caped capture AS it was, the debri,
of his army arrived at Monterey after
the loss of their commanding General
aud few men killed in skirmish, be-
sides all their baggage aud munitions.
Gen. Loring succeeded 10 the com
mand 10 this section in the latter part Of
July. and fixed his headquarters at Val
/ lev Mountain. west of the Cheat and