E í W. S. Rosecrans, November 6, 1861

Camp, Gauley Mountain, November 6, 1861.

GENERAL:

Inclosed you will find a sketch, marked, showing the west side of Kanawha from Fayette to Paint Creek, with such roads marked as we have information of. You will find smaller sketch, which shows the information we can collect about the country between Loop Creek and the Fayette road. A memoir inclosed explains this. You have received telegraphic orders to cross the Kanawha with effective force, and also, subsequently, to establish yourself solidly and comfortably over there, holding the mouth of Paint by small watch guard, and occupying Loop Creek up to a good point of the main branch, far enough above Taylor’s to secure that thoroughly against a – movement or regiment or two down from Kincaid’s, and then secure the road up the left-hand branch of Loop to the top of the ridge, so that we. can use the passage at or near some point X 9 due [?]. Should also secure the heights above the creek by a line of pickets judiciously placed and carefully concealed.

. It may become necessary to combine dur forces and operate on the – left-hand branch at the same time by way of Kincaid’s, to eut off their ` rear, and your object will be to secure to us the use of these routes, at least to the points referred to. The advantages of this will be that Should we be unable to cross in their rear above, thus we may still have a chance of operating on their rear in that direction. Whether — we Shall be able to cross the New River with chances of success will probably be determined when the examination that is going on shall be completed and reported to me. I will then communicate to you any modifications deemed necessary in consequence of the result of the – reconnaissance.

I again repeat; make ample provision for the covering and subsistence of your troops in solid position and have convenient communication between your headquarters and the opposite shore and below. _— Have the road up Loop and above you on the Kanawha examined and repaired so as to make it. passable, but avoid exciting observation. Admonish your field officers of the day to do all they can to perfect the – Cma-XIY] KANAWHA AND NEW RIVER, W. VA. 283 guard and outpost duties, and take every practicable means of increasing the efficiency and certainty with which the troops can act.

Very respeetfully,

your obedient servant,

E í W. S. ROSECRANS,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army.
– Brig. Gen. H. W. BENHAM, Camp Huddleston.
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= No. 5.
… Report of Col. Carr B. White, Twelfth Ohio Infantry, of skirmish on
UR < Laurel Creek, November 12.