The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-31
THE WESTERN VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.

In General McCleans article in the May
Century on the Peninsular Campaign, he states
that in July, 1861, latter having secured solidly
for the Union that part of western Virginia
north of the Kanawha and west Of the mount
ains,' he was called suddenly to Washington.
In published interview with Judge Kelley the
the latter is made to give the credit of the
western Virginia campaign to General Rose
Grams. l do not desire to interfere in any dis
pute between the two generals named, but only
to give my testimony as to the authorship of the
plan finally adopted for securing Union suprem
acy in that part of Virginia named by General
Mcclellan 1t is fair to say that in giving my
testimony have not access to books papers or
reports connected with the campaign, and have
to rely upon my memory and SO shall not un-
dertake to give dates.
l beg the liberty of your columns for what 1
shall state, inasmuch as the campaign was not
without honor to Indiana, and as the actual
facts have never been fully reported
Not taking General Mcclellan into considera-
ton, for he has evidently forgotten the partcu-
lars there is probably but one person now living
besides myself who is acquainted with the secret
history of the western Virginia campaign, unless
it be that Captain Stein, of Lafayette, has some
knowledge Of it.
General Thomas A. Morris of Indianapolis,
commanded the brigade of three months Indi-
ana volunteers raised in April, 1861, most
Of whom. took part in the movements
in June and July of that year in western Vir-
ginia. Under the militia organization of these
first troops, John Love- afterward general of the
~ "a IF met int nd
a soldier of very fine ability, was brigade major
and of course chief of General Morris's staff
Lieutenant or Captain Stein was assistant adju-
dent-general, and after the promotion of Cap.
tain Hascall to the colonelcy of the Seventeenth
Indiana regiment, was aide-de- camp Before
Captain Hascall's promotion 1 was serving on
General Morriss staff as AN orderly. having been
detailed from the ranks of the Eleventh regi-
ment
My relations with General Morris before the
outbreak of the war had for many years been
intimate and confidential, and while ] served
under:him continued to be. so that there were
few things done under his command of which
was not cognizant. The command was in west
ern Virginia with headquarters at Grafton be-
fore General Mcclellan was prepared to cooper
ate Win Gonoral motifs, or rather DorO~0 ne
was prepared to take the field in person.
AS aide de-camp to General Morris had charge
OF all dispatches passing between him and Gen
eral Mcclellan, both plain and in cipher al
though from the insecurity Of communications,
none of Importance passed except in cipher in
terpreted all received and sent. 1t is possible
that in my temporary absence Major Love
may have translated some received, but
all were verified by me and none were sent, ex-
cept through my hands, to the telegraph
no ivad I
learned the original plan of General Mcclellan,
as he communicated it to General Morris 1t
was formed independently of General Morris,
and without regard to his views. and might
say without regard to his information as to the
numbers or disposition of the rebel forces in the
territory desired to be cleared. 1t was for for.
ward movement by the main body of McClellan's
command up the Kanawha. 1t was evident to
General Morris land in this view Major Love
concurred) that the movement as contemplated
would place his (Morrs's) command in such an
isolated position that the rebel forces
would concentrate upon it and COM
pei decorous withdrawal, if not a
disastrous retreat, and surrender of
the important line OF the Baltimore g. Ohio
railroad. / remember well the discussion at
brigade headquarters My impression now is
that the information as to the contemplated
plan came with the intelligence that q consid-
cradle portion Of the force had already embarked
upon steamboats, at Cincinnati or other points
on the Ohio Upon receipt of the information
General Morris dispatched at once, strongly
urging an entire change of plan and suggesting
what he and Major Love believed would be
practicable. short and effective campaign Nu-
merous dispatches were received and sent, all of
which went through my hands for translation.
The result was the abandonment of General
McClellans original plan and the adoption of
Morriss.
1t is not necessary to enter into the particulars
of this campaign. It was carried out upon Nor
ris's plan, almost to the very details. recollect
but one departure from it, and that led to the
escape of large body Of rebels then estimated
at about two thousand) from Laurel Hill 1t
was understood that upon General McClellan's
pected to be fought near there land which was
fougnt) information was to be sent at once to
Morris, whose command was in front of the rebel
works at Laurel Hill. The information was not
received until at least twelve hours after the
rebels, by q less direct line Of communication,