George B. McClellan to B. F. Keiey, May 26, 1861

Col. B. F. Keiey, First Regiment Virginia Volunteers :

COLONEL: I have telegraphed you this evening, instructing you to make a forward movement on Fairmont. The principal reason for this order was the burning of the bridges, which caused me to anticipate, by some two or three days, the more carefully-prepared measures I had contemplated, with the intention of not only securing the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, but also of driving all the armed secessionists out of Western Virginia.

In your present movement you will be careful to run no unnecessary risk, for it is absolutely necessary that we should not meet even with a

A6 OPERATIONS IN M. D., PA, VA, AND W. V. A. — [CHdr. IX,

partial check at the outset. If you find yourself in front of any hostile force that, either by superiority of numbers, position, or artillery, is likely to render an attack doubtful, you will remain in observation, and at once send for assistance, which can be promptly rendered to any desirable extent.’ The chief object of your advance is to prevent any further destruction of the railroad.- You will not move on Grafton without restoring the bridges in your rear, unless you receive positive information that Colonel Steedman’s command has actually reached Grafton, or a neighboring point, where you can without doubt unite with him.

Colonel Steedman occupies Parkersburg to-morrow morning with two regiments, and will then proceed to take possession of the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as far towards Grafton as he can with safety.

You will exercise the utmost vigilance in preserving the discipline of your men, see that the property and rights of the inhabitants are in every respect carefully protected, and use every effort to conciliate the people and strengthen the Union feeling. You will at once make a requisition upon the chief quartermaster of this department for such supplies as may be necessary for your command. In the mean time, make the best use you can of the means now in your possession. Colonel Irvine will be under your orders.

With every confidence that you will leave nothing undone to carry out the very delicate and important duty with which you are intrusted,

very respectfully,