Robert C. Schenck to Benjamin S. Roberts, April 24, 1863

Brig. Gen. B. S. RoBERTS, Buckhannon, Va.:

Collect your forces, defend the railroad, and drive the enemy back. You are strong enough to do it if you try. Do not call for re-enforcements from here. You have no need of them, and we have none to give you if you had. I do not understand how the roads there are impassable to you, when, by your own account, they are passable enough to the enemy. If you cannot drive the enemy out, we will seek some one who can.

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

BUCKHANNON, V. A., ; April 24, 1863—9.40 p. m. Major-General HALLECK:

Your telegram received. I havecollected my forces from Sutton and Bulltown into this place, to repel the enemy. Colonel Latham, with half of my command, has allowed himself to be surprised, and has been compelled to retreat in the direction of Philippi, where he cannot reach me. The enemy has five regiments of cavalry. I have but four companies. The roads the enemy has passed over are the mountain roads. Those I must move over are in the valley, and I have never seen any im so impassable a condition. I shall fail in nothing that is possible.

B. S. ROBERTS, Brigadier-General.

BUCKHANNON, V. A., April 24, 1863. Lieut. Col. W. H. CHESEBROUGH, Baltimore, Md. :

Colonel Latham has been driven from Beverly, and has retreated on the road to Philippi. Artillery and cavalry got in between Beverly and this place. Re-enforcements should be sent from Grafton to Philippi without delay. I have telegraphed to Governor Peirpoint the state of things. There should be no delay.

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

BALTIMORE, M. D., 7 April 24, 1863—8 p. m. Brig. Gen. B. F. KELLEY, Harper’s Ferry, Va.:

The following telegram, of this date, has just been received fror Buckhannon :

Since 2 p. m. I have received from Colonel Latham, commanding at Bevery, four telegrams, the first stating that the enemy were advancing on him; by the last he informs me that he has opened upon him with artillery, and that they were within 1 mile of him. He believes Imboden’s and Jackson’s forces are combined. Forces from Harper’s Ferry should be pushed on toward Grafton.

You will at once send such troops as you can spare from Harper’s Ferry to Grafton or Clarksburg to the support of General Roberts, being governed by circumstances.

By order of Major-General Schenck: