E.D. Townsend to Ambrose E. Burnside, March 30, 1863

Major-General BURNSIDE, Cincinnati, Ohio:

General Schenck has received advices that there is a rebel force on the Big Sandy, threatening the Kanawha Valley. You must look to this, and not let the enemy turn the Kanawha from the Kentucky line.

H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.

March 30, 1863. General BURNSIDE:

Some rebel cavalry, estimated about 400, have passed from Sandy Valley and East Kentucky into the Lower Kanawha region. The Sandy Valley posts still belong to the Department of the Ohio, I believe, and as the troops in the Kanawha are necessarily concentrated near Gauley Bridge, they have to rely almost wholly on your forces at Louisa, &c., to protect their right flank. I respectfully suggest the im- portance of holding these positions strongly, and would like to be informed of the present condition of Eastern Kentucky, so that we may calculate accordingly in West Virginia. Truly, yours, J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

March 30, 1863—6.30 p. m. Major-General BURNSIDE, Cincinnati : Rebels reported repulsed from Point Pleasant at 5 p. m., and have retired. No further particulars received as yet. J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

March 30, 1863—6.30 p. m. Lieutenant-Colonel CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General, Baltimore :

Dispatch from Point Pleasant, 5 p. m., says rebels are repulsed and have retired. No further particulars. I hope part of Scammon’s force is within reach of them; also from above.

J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

March 30, 1863— 6.30 p. m. Capt. E. P. Fitou,

Point Lleasant : Have the rebels followed up closely, so as to know their route. I hope Scammon will intercept their retreat. J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

March 30, 1863—6.30 p. m. General E. P. Scam on,

Charleston, W. Va: Rebels repulsed from Point Pleasant. I hope you may get a rap at them before they get out. M cae ‘ J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

>) March 30, 1863. General E. P. Scammon, ;

The commandant at Point Pleasant is ordered to send as large a detachment as he can spare, to reopen communication with you. The rebel cavalry which fired into the boats near Hall’s Landing is estimated at about 400. Unless it be much heavier than’this, you will be able to take care of it without materially weakening your posts up the river. I shall urge General Burnside to put a strong force in the Sandy Valley at once.

March 30, 1863—11.30 a. m. General A. E. BURNSIDE:

The rebels on Lower Kanawha are below all our troops, except one company at Point Pleasant. If any of your troops are passing, it would be highly desirable for a regiment or two to stop at Point Pleasant till the whole magnitude of the raid is known, and communication with General Scammon at Charleston reopened. I will send you further news as fast as I get it.

I have been informed that about 700 of your men were expected at Parkersburg this morning; if so, the loan of them for a few days might put everything right.

J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

(Received March 30—12.50 p. m.) Major-General BURNSIDE:

Dispatch from Gallipolis, just received, says the rebels have taken Point Pleasant, at mouth of Kanawha. Only one company of troops is at Gallipolis, and the river is, therefore, the chief protection to the Ohio shore. All sorts of rumors as to their force, up to thousands, but nothing reliable.

March 30, 1863—12.30 p. m. Lieutenant-Colonel CHESEBROUGH, Baltimore:

Dispatch from Gallipolis, just received, says the rebels have taken Point Pleasant. Allsorts of exaggerated rumors astonumbers. There are no troops along the Ohio line, and the river is probably sufficient protection, but, if the force is large, I fear they may move northward toward the railroad. I have informed General Burnside also of the condition of things.

March 30, 1863—12.30 p. m. General KELLEY, Cumberland:

Dispatch, just received, says the rebels have taken Point Pleasant. This would look as if their force was larger than first reported, and their being on the north bank of that river will make it necessary to look out for them farther north.

Yarch 30, [1863]—12.30 p. m. Capt. E. P. Firon, Gallipolis:

Your last just received. You are doing the best possible. Keep the little force watchful, and report. Warn boats along the river to leave the Virginia side. This should be done both by telegraph and messenger. I have informed General Burnside, &c.

(Received March 30—3 p. m.) Major-General BURNSIDE:

The number of the enemy at Point Pleasant first sent you is best corroborated by late reports, but even that number is larger than all our troops between here and Portsmouth. Iam trying to get volunteers at Gallipolis to go up and relieve Point Pleasant, where, at latest accounts, the company still held the court-house. Is there anything at Portsmouth which can be ordered up?

MARIETTA, OHI0, March 30, 1863—2 p. m. General E. P. Scammon, Charleston, via Clarksburg:

The best information puts the rebel force below you less than 500. I have ordered a boat down for Zeigler’s regiment, and am trying to raise citizens enough, with the company at Gallipolis, to relieve Point Pleasant. Am also urging General Burnside for aid from the Department of the Ohio. You had better push as large a force as you can mount rapidly down the river, and sustain them by what can be spared without abandoning posts above. I am practically without command, but assume this much as a necessity. Be assured everything possible will be done below, and I am confident all will come right shortly.

J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

Lieutenant-Colonel CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General, Baltimore :

Latest and most reliable reports are confirmatory of the first sent you as to enemy’s numbers. The company at Point Pleasant was this morning, at 11, stillin the court-house, and hoped to hold it tillnight. Ihave directed the company at Gallipolis to raise volunteers of the citizens there, and endeavor to relieve the garrison. Have also ordered a boat to go down from Gallipolis for a regiment (Fifth Virginia), lately at Ceredo, and bring it unless it has its hands full there. Have also telegraphed General Burnside to send some aid from below, if possible, and have warned Kelley and all in Northwestern Virginia. Am still confident Scammon will be able to hold his position in the upper valley, and detach force enough to reopen his communications.

J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

Capt. E. P. Fitou, Gallipolis :

I have a dispatch from Mr. [William H.] Tomlinson, of Point Pleasant. He is at Mr. Langley’s, I suppose. See him, and, if his report is reliable, the company at Gallipolis, together with citizens who will volunteer and arm for that purpose, ought to make force enough to relieve Captain Carter before night. See Captain Smith, and, if possible, let this be done at once. Iam trying to get aid from below. Send down a boat if you have one, and bring up Zeigler’s regiment unless it has its hands full where it is. Sign orders by my command.

J. D. COX, Brigadier-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, ) Bora DEPARTMENT, ADJT. GEN.’S OFFICE, No. 146. Washington, March 30, 1863. * * * * * * *

X. I. Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox, U. 8. Volunteers, will report in person, without delay, to Major-General Schenck, U. S. Volunteers, commanding Middle Department, for duty.

By order of the Secretary of War: