J. D. COX, Brigadier-General to Ln Ls Rj Nl, November 10, 1861

Major Crawford says he thinks those two regiments, or a part of them at least, are moved down again this side of Warner’s, on the south side . of the mountain; if so, it is a reason for combining strongly. Expect more from above. .

Brigadier-General BENHAM, Camp, Loop Creel.

Yours (No. 20) received. Mine you will find was No. 18. Your suggestions all enter into the plan. You know we hold the hills from Montgomery’s Ferry to Gauley, and have a ferry across New River. Everything is going on at General Schenck’s to cross the river tomorrow night. If it can be done, your way is by N ugent’s, I should suppose, but if he must come down here, then you must make Fayette, and on the Raleigh road above, to cut him off. Scouts will inform you of his movements. If he begins a retreat, you must be ready to intercept him the moment you are certain of it. If he tries to dislodge us on the hills, we will work him well in. You will stand steady until the co-operation is arranged, and then will try him on Laurel Creek.

Yours (No. 22) just received. We will not move to-night. Our troops here occupy heights between New River and the Fayette road. Your scouts ought to capture that picket guard to-night. Will telegraph you further. Schenck’s boats all down; will be ready for use to-morrow.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, Camp Gauley Mountain, November 11, 1861. Inform me as early as possible how long it wil také you to move from your present position with your entire force to reach Nugent’s. Secondly, how long it would take you to reach Cassidy’s Mill. How far from there to Warner’s, and what difficulties you know of in the way. Can you reach the Raleigh road by Light’s Mill? How long

will it take you? Will provisions and everything be ready to-day for either route? –

Brigadier-General BENHAM, Camp, Loop Oreek Mouth.

[Inclosure No. 29.] . NOVEMBER 11, 1861. – What news from you? McCook says they are breaking up camp, but

many men there still; more than he ever saw before. One regiment ` Cuar. XIV.] KANAWHA AND NEW RIVER, W. VA.

passed up by Fayetteville this morning, and forty-five wagons and five

ambulances. Hope soon to-receive reply from dispatches of this morning. E EN [Inelosure No. 30.] e

“HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, Camp Gauley Mountain, November 11, 1861.

Yours (No. 25) received. No. 24 not received. The information asked for about the other roads to Fayette and Raleigh not received. Retreat spoken of in my No. 19 has been reported to you so far as we can see at – this side of the river. Had hopes you would be better informed than we were. Our skirmishing last night and this morning was necessary. – AsI told you, an attempt to dislodge us. We did not draw him in. It will be of no use for you to come in at Nugent’s in his front on this side of Cotton Hill, if you can succeed in cutting off his retreat by reaching Fayette or the Raleigh road. That question I asked you this morning; . and if I could only know, would be able to give you orders immediately. If that cannot be done, then it will be necessary for you to seize the

Fayette road at the most convenient point, and push steadily and firmly, taking due precautions against ambuscade. General Cox has now over some 700 men, and they are pushing in towards Cotton Hill quietly. This gives you what information we have. Let me hear from you as soon as possible. * In reply to my dispatch No. 16, General Schenck just telegraphs me by no means giveup crossing Townsend’s Ferry, and will telegraph further soon. Should his dispateh confirm plan of crossing – Townsend’s, you had better come in on the Fayette pike. Cannot find that the enemy has passed Fayette.

If there is: any reliance to be placed on our information, Cassidy?s Mill would be the strategie point, provided the road is- practicable at all. Answer soon. ` ;

Brigadier-General BENHAM, Camp, Loop Creel: Mouth.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, Camp Gauley Mountain, November 11, 1861. Dispatch from our lookout on Bushy Knob above Schenck’s says rebels have stopped at Camp Dickerson. If this be so, and local information does not forbid, send about 1,000 men to occupy Cassidy’s Mill. Arrange rapid communication with your headquarters. This place, according to our information, is not 5 miles from Fayette, which is 3 miles in rear of their present position. Covering your camp by a strong picket up: Loop may at once dispose your troops to move. I only await your report of the practicability of the Cassidy’s Mill route to determine whether you are to come in on the north side of Cotton Hill in front of . them or take them flank and rear. Look well to the provisions for your ‘troops, and report as soon as you possibly can. Brigadier-General BENHAM, Camp, Loop Creek Mouth.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, : Camp Gauley Mountain, November 11, 1861. ` Dispatches just received from General Schenck confirm previous ones. The enemy is concentrated in camp extending from Dickerson’s to near Fayette. Has been throwing up some rail and earth intrenchNIS

268 `- OPERATIONS IN MD., N. VA, AND W. VA. [Cnar. XIV.

ments at Dickerson’s and at Jones’, a mile above. Appears to hold intersection of Fayette pike and Miller’s Ferry road. Under these circumstances you will proceed as follows: Supposing you have pro- ` ceeded to oceupy Cassidy’s Mill with 1,000 men, with all provisions and with directions to push forward from that position strong scouting parties on the most practicable road to Fayette, and established an outpost to wateh the Loop Creek road, I have directed General Cox to order Major Leiper, who commands the troops on Cotton Hill, to report to you at the intersection of the Ridge road with the Fayette pike. It

is about two miles and a half from the ferry. You will proceed with .

your command by the River road and occupy Cotton Hill to-night, pushing forward as far towards Fayette as you can, and have a strong position. Divouae your troops. Send forward strong reconnoitering party, with orders to drive in the enemy’s pickets and find out if they

are retreating. Open communication with your detachment at Uassidy’s –

Mill, in order that you may receive from them the earliest intimation of the enemy’s movements. Schneider, with one piece, and MeMullin’s two howitzers will cross with the Kentucky troops to-night and report to you for orders. What we now have to do is first to oceupy Cotton Hill and reconnoiter the enemy, working on his left flank if he retains his position and falling on his flank if he moves. Generals Schenck and McCook remain in position to-night watching. If a rebel force comes down on this side they will fall back, and our ntovements on your side be governed by circumstances. If the enemy retreat, Schenck will cross at Townsend’s and McCook cover this’ line. I regret that

circumstances seem to bring you in front. My great desire has been –

to cut off his communications. The road by Lights Mill seems now the only one that would doit. Perhaps you may yet be able to make a flank movement as soon as we have got thorough possession of Cotton

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, Camp Gauley Mountain, November 11, 1861.

Your 27 received. By waiting it will probably be 11 before you get this. This defeats my plan, which was to have you on Cotton Hill by 10 o’clock to-night by the river road, with strong reconnoitering party, to watch the enemy’s movements. If the enemy retreat to-night, he cannot be pursued with any chance of capturing him. If he stands, we shall have to engage him on the front and flank. In his present position he so nearly covers Townsend’s Ferry, that Schenck cannot cross – to co-operate unless rebels move down or up. If you come in with all your force at Fayette, you will be opposite Townsend’s. I cannot send you any men, because I have none to send without calling them down from MeCook or General Schenck. This will be the work of a day, and will delay the movement twenty-four hours. All reasonable chance of taking advantage of the enemy’s retreat being cut off, the next best thing seems to be that you should let your troops rest to-night. Have

everything that can be done to prepare for this movement. Carry out _ your previous orders, sending such troops as you think best by 6 in the morning. Then carry out the orders you have received, sending such

troops as you deem best to Cassidy’s Mill, and arranging to communicate with them by Nugent’s. You willreach Cotton Hill and Warners — Mill by the time they get to Cassidy’s, and can send them word if the – Char. XIV.]- KANAWHA AND NEW RIVER, W. VA. 269 rebels have retreated or are standing. You will also send a signal flag to some point opposite my camp to let meknow. If they stand, the flag will be raised twice; if they run, only once. Major Leiper has orders

to send you wordif his scouts report a retreat to-night. Pfaws dragoons will report to you too. You will, on learning what the rebels do, make such disposition of your.force on the Fayette road and give such orders

to those at Cassidy’s Mill as circumstances may require.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, Camp Gauley Mountain, November 12, 1861.

Your dispatches Nos. 27 and 28—latter 5 a. m.—received. You say

. you did not receive my orders until 11. Your dispatch acknowledging

_ receipt was dated 7 p. m. .I understand the guard at Taylors to be 100 men. The only other detachment from your forces is that which

~ occupies Cassidy’s Mill. When you get to the top of Cotton Hill, and ascertain where the rebels are and what they are doing, you will be

able to take necessary precautions, The objects of our movement have been fully set forth by previous dispatches.

Brigadier-General BENHAM, Camp, Loop Creek.

The commanding general has had no advices from you since this morning. Desires you to report your itinerary, present condition, and position of your forces and those which have been directed to report to you, with all information of the position and movements of the rebels. He also informs you that New River rose last night so as to __ prevent the stretching of the rope across Townsend’s Ferry, which appears to be still unwatched. From your position movements have been seen at Dickerson’s farm, but if you occupy Cottton Hill to-night you will be able to know all about the enemy?s position and movements, .which I understand can be seen from it. Report at your earliest convenience in reply and give the hour. Send for your tents.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia,

Camp Gauley Mountain, November 12, 1861—9 p. m. Your No. 29 received; also Lieut. William H. Mills’ verbal report. I am much gratified, to bear of your progress and the position you have _ taken; also that you have sent to communicate at once with Cassidy’s Mill Itrust you will find no great loss from the skirmish. Send for your tents and provisions. Get accurate information of the route from your position to Cassidy’s Mill, and thence to Raleigh pike in rear of Fayette. Our best information shows that the road from Cassidy’s is practicable, not exceeding 3 or 4 miles long, and intersects the Raleigh pike 2 miles in rear of Fayette. The rebels were fortifying on Dickerson’s farm at the junction of Miller’s Ferry and Fayette roads this afternoon, evidently designing to eover themselves against attack from the Millers Ferry and Fayette roads. If they will only hold that position our suceess will be certain. You hold now the key of that country. Their camp is within range of rifle if not Parrott guns. You have probably force enough to whip them now if it could be transSEA c:

Y Su. s Aiea MS ferred at once to the Fayette road. Make every exertion to render . such a movement easy. Were it possible to find out whether the enemy commences a retreat to-night or not, which I think he certainly ought to do, you ought to move with all your force, except, say, 500 men, by Cassidy’s Mill, and intercept them. Hoping he may not do 80, Schenck’s brigade will be ordered down, and will pass over to-morrow night. Advise me the very best road to reach the Raleigh pike from — the falls, by Nugent’s, by Loop Creek, or by some point near you ^ across by Cassidy’s Mill. Meanwhile give your troops as much rest and refreshment as possible. Communicate frequently with me. If no movements are necessary to-morrow morning, look for good position for a regiment to hold Cotton Hill. i

Brigadier-General BENHAM. [Inclosure No. 37.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, Camp Gauley Mountain, November 13, 1861. _ I hope your camp equipage has been ordered up. Make every arrangement to occupy the hill, and make your troops comfortable until others come over. Keep up your supplies of provisions, so as to have three days ahead. Next ascertain the routes by which the Raleigh road may be reached in the best ways from any point between your position and the mouth of Loop: Brigadier-General BENHAM. * . Y

Information from Bushy Knob shows the enemy have retreated, and — the proper way is to send word to the troops at Cassidy’s Mill to press on them and push up the Fayette road.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, Camp Gauley Mountain, November 13, 1861—5.30 p. m. *

Your No. 32, dated 2 p. m., just received. The commanding general does not think the rebels have entirely gone, but what their force may be is unknown. General Schenck, with his entire brigade, comes over to-night to re-enforce you. Being the senior, he will assume command until the commanding general comes over. You will therefore report to him, and, after stating fully the position of everything, aet under his orders. The general understands you have ordered the — force from Cassidy’s Mill Its withdrawal is in fáce of his express orders for its occupation, and what seems to him a plain military – advantage requires something more in explanation than has been reported to him to justify it, which he awaits. He does not wish to – attack Floyd by the front only, but if we can get his left flank and – rear we shall succeed in crushing him.

Brigadier-General BENHAM.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT WESTERN Virginia, , hae : Camp Gauley Mountain, November 13, 1861. :

Your 33 received at 7 p. m. This goes by Miller’s Ferry. Regret . that the detachment at Cassidy’s Mill was not pushed forward towards *

y X, ni do^ A M PES CAR 25

. Cmar. XIV] KANAWHA AND NEW RIVER, W. VA. tr:

: Fayette. Your idea that the rebels may be sleeping is a good one,

and strikes me favorably. Much will depend whether you shall pursue them on the condition and strength of your troops and the provisions you have. Of these things I know nothing. A question of pursuit is therefore left to your discretion. You can now send by Miller’s Ferry, which will much shorten the line of communication. 1 shall start for Fayette by 8 to-morrow morning, and hope to hear from you whatever you deem proper before that time. General Schenck with his entire brigade is already in camp at Huddleston’s. If, therefore, there were a chance to overtake the flying foe, your support is certain. You have more than one-fourth as many troops as the retreating foe.-

Brigadier-General BENHAM, Fayetteville.

[Addenda.] NOVEMBER 12, 1861.

The commanding general directs you to break your camp at Ewing tomorrow morning and proceed with your command across the river at Gauley Bridge to the Cotton Hill. The troops should have two days’ rations in their haversacks. Their baggage*hould follow under com-

. mand of the rear guard, which may be composed of your advanced pickets.

You will order Captain Mack to report to Colonel McCook for temporary duty. West’s cavalry will come down and encamp at or below Gauley. The troops should move early, and get, if possible, past MeCook’s camp before the fog gets off the river. Colonel McCook will remain in command of the troops covering the position on this side. Give orders to have all the material that can be saved brought away from Townsend’s Ferry. If the boats can be hidden for a few days, I think they may be hidden as well as the pieces for the bull-boat. This is on the supposition that we cannot cross at Townsend’s Ferry, while we know we can cross down here.

provided with the necessary help and give the necessary directions.