The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-26
lection Of the entire line of the B. & o. Rail-

lection Of the entire line Of the B. & o. Rail-
road.
During the whole time he commanded the
Department OF West Virginia his troops were
almost constantly engaged in offensive or de-
fensive operations. When Gen. Lees army
crossed the Potomac in 1863 and invaded
Maryland and Pennsylvania. Gen. Kelley was
ordered 10 concentrate all his forces and move
10 a point as near Hagerstown, Nd, as would
be judicious. lie accordingly took position in
the mountain pass Of Fair View, Immediately
west of Clear Spring. This was few miles in
rear Of Lees line of battle, extending as IL did
from Hagerstown TO Falling Waters on the Po-
tomac. His orders were 10 attack Gen. Lees
rear as soon as he heard Gen. Meade's guns in
front; but Gen. Meade delayed his attack too
long and Gen. Lees army recrossed the Poto-
mac Gen. Kelley then moved back TO Cherry
Run, crossed the Potomac, and after harassing
the rear and right flank of Lees retreating
army, returned his troops to their former posi-
tiOn. The following is an extract from the re-
port of Gen. Halleck:
The operations OF our troops In West Virginia
are referred 10 here as being intimately connected
with the Army of the Potomac The force there
being too small 10 attempt any important campaign
by itself, has acted mostly upon the defensive in
rcpelling raids and breaking up guerrilla bands.
When Lees army retreated AFTER the battle of Get
tysburg in July last Brighten. Kelley conccn-
trated all his available forces on the enemys flank
near Clear Spring ready TO cooperate in the pro-
posed attack 10y Gen Meade. He also rendered
valuable services In the pursuit after Lee had ef
fected his passage Of the Potomac River: On the
10Th OF November, 1853. Gen. Kelley attacked Gen.
lmbodens forces in Hardy County, Va, completely
routing him.
The following Is Gen. Wright's dispatch:
HEADQUARTERS, CINCINNATI. Nov. Is, Is63
MAJ Ill. w. HALLEcK, General in Chief;
Gen. Kelley on the 10Th inst. attacked ImbOden's
rebel camp. is miles south Of Moreiied, Hardy
Co. Va, routed him completely, killing aud
wounding many; capturing his camp with 50 pris-
"A nna az arms "A rpa
Of horses. cattle, hogs, wagons. etc. The enemy
was entirely dispersed and fled 10 the mountains.
Ii. G.. WEIGHT,
Major-General Commanding
In December, 1863, Gen. Kelley ordered his
cavalry, under command of Gen. Averell, TO
cut the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad at Sa-
lem, Va and 10 destroy the stores accumulated
there for the support of Gen. Longstreet's army,
then besieging Knoxville. Tenn. This order
was successfully executed. After the rebel
forces had robbed and burned Chambersburg,
Pa, they moved on Cumberland, Md. On the
LIST Of August, 1854, their forces attacked
Gen. Kelley at that place at p. IN. The
action continued until dark. The enemy
were repulsed and retreated during the
night 10 Old Town, where they crossed the
Potomac. They halted two or three days at
Romney, then attacked New Creek, and were
again repulsed with great loss. They then re-
treated towards the Valley of Virginia. In the
meantime Gen. Averell had reported to Gen.
Kelley with his cavalry by order of Gen. Hun
ter, and was directed 10 pursue the retreating
foe. He overlook them at Morefeld, COM
pletely routing them and capturing many pris-
oners, artillery, arms, etc.
The following action was taken by the people
Of Cumberland, expressing their gratitude 10
the soldiers for the defense of their city:
ReSOiuod by .e citizens Of Cumberland an form meet
ing assembled, That tender 10 Brig. Gen. Kelley
aud the brave officers and soldiers under his COM
mand our warnest thanks for the skill and courage
displayed by the General and his officers and the
bravery exhibited by the soldiers under their COM
mnnd IN their successful resistance 10 the capture Of
their city by the rebel forces on Monday last.
EeSOiucd That i'm the opinion of the meeting we
are indebted 90 the brave men who risked their
lives ia defense and in defense of our town and
property for the aversion OF a dreadful calamity
similar 10 that inflicted the people OF Chambers
burg
In recognition of daring courage and gallant
conduct of Gen. Kelley in resisting and defeat
ing the enemy at Cumberland and New Creek
and protecting those places from the rayages of
a brave aud desperate foe, the President COM
missioned him Major General by brevet.
1t will be observed that the General not only
organized the first loyal regiment in the entire
South, but that he fought and won the first
victory achieved by loyal arms on Southern
soil. His war record shows unbroken series
Of brilliant achievements. From the beginning
10 the end Of the war, in all the battles he
fought, he was never once defeated.