The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1878-05-18

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2. That tho commanding officer
erred, in not advancing aud strength
euing his pickCts beyond the usual
limits under the circumstances.
8. That the commanding officer ex'
hibited upon the occasion decided cool
ness, self possession aud personal cour'
age, and cxertcd himself, as fur as
possible, to effect retreat in good or.
der.
4. The Commanding General having
attcntivcIy considered tho proceedings
Of tho court Of inquiry 10 the foregoing
case coucurs 10 the opinion expressed
by the court, in tho statement Of tie
facts deduecd from the testimony.
These facts show, that The position
ut Philippi was seriously threatened by
superior forcc of tho enemy, distant
only four hours, march; that Col. POr-
terGcld was aware Of the danger Of his
position, aud prudcntly prepared to
eyacuatc it. His desire to prevent the
occupation Of the town by the enemy
vas worthy of all praise; and hal be
prudeniIy sent buck his baggage md
ineffective men, arranged bis plan Of
defense and taken proper measures to
secure information af tho advance Of
the enemy, he might safely have re.
taiued his position, and either given
battle or retired, as circumstances
might dictate. It does no: appear
from the record of the court, that any
plan Of defense was formed but it does
appear, that the troops retired without
his orders, aud that the instructions to
his advance guard, was either miscon.
ceiyed or not executed.
To these circumstances must bc at.
tributed the disaster that followed, aud
they call for heavy cGusure upon all
concerned.
The Commanding General rcuiarks
with pleasure upon tho coOlnCss, self
possession courage aud energy display.
ed by Col. FOiericld at the moment
Of attack, but be cannot cxoneratc
him from blame. in not taking proper
precautionary measures beforehand.
Yet in consideration Of the circum.
stauees OF the case, he does not think il
necessary to DO more than to express
tho opinion Of the court, in hope that
the said effects produced by tho wau;
Of fOrethought and vigilance, as exhib.
tied In this case, will DO lesson to BE-
remembered BY the army throughout
the war.
3. The Court Of Inquiry of which
Col. Wm. B. TaliaferrO, Virgiui4 Vol.
unteers Us President, is dissolved.
By command Of General Lee.
GEO. DEAs, A. a. G.
From these proceedings the public
may sec tho extent to which blame
may properly attach to inc.
Gen. Robert S. Gurnett was next
sent to this part Of the State, with sew.
cral select regiments, and some ar.il.
lery, from Richmond, and took com-
muud on the l4th Of June. Ills whole
force, amounting 10 about eight thous.
aud men, was well supplied in every res.
pect, and had with it number Of cxper.
fenced officers. Gen. Garnctt cutrcuch-
ed himself with the greater part Of bis
army at the western base of Laurel
Hill, about twelve miles north Of Bcy.
erIey. lie left Col Pegram, with
about fifteen hundred mcu, ou Rich
Mountain, u few miles west Of Bever.
ley. to secure his rGar uud keep open
his line Of communication.
Gen. Mcclellan meuanced Garnctt's
front Mt Laurel Hill, gained and Oceu.
pied his attention, whilst at the same
time be turned Garnett's position ut
that point, and moving arouHd BY
Buckhunuon with the greater part Of
bis force, be attacked and Gaally cap.
,ured Pcgram's command on Rich
Mountain, which also surprised and
defeated Garnett at Laurel Hill. As
this success gave Mcclellan full pos
session Of Garnctt's rear, his depot at
Beverley and his only safe Iiue Of re.
treat, Garnctt broke bis camp ut Laurel
Hill without delay aud began his retreat
over Il narrow, Gircuitous and unknown
mountain by road, by which he hope to
rcath Monterey, a point in his line
east Of the Alleghenies. Had he been
detained ut Laurel Hill. or intercepted
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