John G. Foster to Benjamin F. Kelley, September 14, 1863

Brig. Gen. B. F. KELLEY, Commanding Department:

Major Gibson informed me before Major Bowen’s return that he did not want re-enforcements. Nothing was accomplished by Bowen’s absence. I understand he allowed his men to get drunk. Ten militiamen escaped from rebels, who retired by Hacker’s Lick.

Major Gibson is strengthened by the return of Bowen. I notified the militia the day beforethey were attacked to look out. If the pee themselves to be captured after that, on-their own ground,

do not think they can be any great loss.

W. M. W. AVERELL, Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS, Cincinnati, September 14, 1863. (Received Barboursville, 15th.) Major-General BURNSIDE, Knoxville : General Scammon, in the Kanawha Valley, reports the enemy strengthening in his front, with a view to driving him out of West Virginia, as he thinks. Their force is stated at thirteen regiments of infantry and cavalry. If this proves true, my own opinion would be that it is a diversion to bring your troops back to Ohio, and that a show of force moving from Tennessee into Southwestern Virginia would stop them.

WaR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 14, 1863—1 p. m. Major-General Foster, Fort Monroe, Va.:

Information received here indicates that a part of Lee’s force has gone to Petersburg. There are various suppositions for this. Some think it is intended to put down the Union feeling in North Carolina; others to make an attempt to capture Norfolk; and others, again, to threaten Norfolk, so as to compel us to send re-enforcements there from the Army of the Potomac, and then to move rapidly against Meade. Such was the plan last spring. when Longstreet invested Suffolk. It will be well to strengthen Norfolk as much as possible, and to closely watch the enemy’s movements. I think he will soon strike a blow somewhere.

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

Fort Monrog, Va., September 14, 1863. (Received 3 p. m.)

I think we can take care of Norfolk, as I have pushed the defenses with all the available force, and have got them in a pretty strong state. I would. not like to ask for any re-enforcements from the Army of the Potomac, in view of the splendid chance which it now

has before it, if the information given by Bell proves to be true. J. G. FOSTER,

Fort MOonrRog, September 14, 1863. General NAGLEE, Norfolk:

Recent information from all sides represents that a considerable movement of troops took place last week, a eter to re-enforce General Bragg from Lee’s army. It is probable that the running of the trains incessantly for the past few days has something to do with this, either to carry more oes to Bragg or to bring those back that passed down on the first of last week. I desire that you will send out reconnaissances to obtain all the information on this

i ibl : point that you possibly can J. G. FOSTER.

Fort Monrog, VaA., September 14, 1863—10 a. m.

(Received 12.50 p. m.) Maj. Gen. H. W. HALueck, General-in-Chief:

I have just received a letter from General Peck, at New Berne, dated the 12th, stating that a Mr. Clements, of Reading, Pa., had come through from Graham, N. C., arriving at New Berne that day. Clements states that a large body of troops from Lee’s army passed through Raleigh, going to join Bragg, last week, the last of one portion passing on Tuesday last. The estimated strength of the force varied from 15,000 to 20,000, but Clements, who is arailroad man, estimates the number at 13,000. He conversed with the troops, and all said they were going to join Bragg, and that the North would not know of the movement. This information, coupled with the known continuous running of the cars for the past few days, may be of value to you, if it coincides with your own information. There is no doubt that a considerable movement of troops was going on last week, and is continued now in all probability.

Clements also confirms the report of the conflict between the citizens and Georgia troops at Raleigh, resulting in the gutting of the Standard and Register offices. Governor Vance issued a proclamation on the 7th, calling upon the people to be united and support the Confederate Government, &c.

Fort Monrok, Va., September 14, 1863.

(Received 3 p. m.) Maj. Gen. H. W. HALwLeEck, General-in-Chief :

General Getty reports at this moment that a deserter named Bell, from the Sixth Virginia, has come in from Richmond, and reports that Hill’s corps, from Lee’s army, has gone to Tennessee via Lynchburg, and Longstreet’s corps is going there at this time via Weldon. Ewell’s corps and the cavalry, 5,000 strong, constitute the only force left with Lee. Bell saw two regiments of Longstreet’s corps last Friday in Petersburg on their way to Tennessee, and derived his information from them. I have sent for Bell, and, after closely questioning him, will inform you further.

Fort Monrog, Va.,

September 14, 1863. General PEckK,

Commanding Forces in North Carolina :

GENERAL: I received your letter this morning by the hand of Major Jenney, and have sent the information to General Halleck. The flag-of-truce boat brought us yesterday information confirmatory of yours, viz, that the cars have been constantly running night and day tor some days past. Evidently a considerable movement of troops has been and is taking place, perhaps to the amount of 30,000 men. The objective point appears to be either Knoxville or Chatta- nooga, to crush either Burnside or Rosecraus, undoubtedly the latter, especially if he has advanced to Atlanta.

With respect to the iron-clads on the Neuse and Roanoke, we can do nothing at present that I can see. The most would bea cavalry raid on Edwards Ferry, and this will take preparation and combination, and even then terminate as the last one did. If it fails it will show the rebels where to prepare for us when we come in force. It is far better to wait until we get an infantry force sufficient to do the work with certainty. I shall write to General Halleck about this, but the understanding is that now as ever the Army of the Potomac is getting all the re-enforcements. Therefore we may have to wait some time.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,