Robert C. Schenck to Robert C. Schenck, April 28, 1863

Major-General SCHENCK, Baltimore, Mad.:

Have you no troops in Pennsylvania and Maryland which can be promptly thrown into Wheeling by the Pennsylvania Railroad? The enemy seems to march more rapidly than we move by rail.

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

BALTIMORE, M. D., April 28, 1863—3 p. m. (Received 4.30 p. m.) Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief :

I have no troops in Pennsylvania or Maryland to send to Wheeling. All are on the Baltimore and Uhio Railroad, or south of it. I have spared every man and gun from this vicinity, except the garrisons of the forts and the ordinary railroad and hospital guards.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General, Commanding.

WHEELING, V. A., April 28, 1863. (Received 2.50 p. m.)

Fifteen hundred cavalry are reported to have been at Morgantown at 4 o’clock p. m. yesterday, and at Waynesburg this morning. It is necessary to have an officer of rank to command the militia here. General Lightburn is here, and he should be directed to assume command. W. C. THORPE, Captain Thirteenth U. 8. Infantry, Military Commander.

BALTIMORE, M. D., April 28, 1863—2.30 p. m. (Received 4.40 p. m.) The approach of the rebels to New Creek was repulsed. Major Showalter defended Rowlesburg and the works at Cheat River admirably with four companies, and all is yet safe there. I have troops pressing forward westward as far and as fast as possible. I have Mulligan at Grafton. The only damage yet ascertained is a train of empty stock cars captured at Uakland, but since recovered in good order, and the Youghiogheny Bridge burned, which is rebuilding to-day. I have communication over all the railroad now, except 20 miles, between Grafton and Rowlesburg. The whole rebel force that has been on the line of the railroad I do not believe exceeds 1,500, but all cavalry. I have such reports from Wheeling and Pittsburgh, but no reliable information that the enemy has gone to Morgantown, or anywhere north of the railroad, in force. With my troops on the railroad, and Kelley south of it on the Northwest turnpike, and Roberts south of Grafton and Clarksburg, I hope to intercept enemy’s retreat. It is difficult, though, to catch cavalry with infantry. Ido not hear from Roberts. His communication by telegraph is cut off, as is also the wire between Grafton and Rowlesburg. They have got up unnecessary panic at Wheeling, Pittsburgh, and Parkersburg.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General, Commanding.

PITTSBURGH, P. A., April 28, 1863. (Received 5.30 p. m.) I have reliable information that the rebels are at Morgantown, Va. Have telegraphed General Schenck to that effect. If the troops on the road and about Oakland do their duty, the rebels can’t escape. I have sent a company of volunteers to Uniontown, and seven companies of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Militia will leave in the morning.

O. CROSS, Deputy Quartermaster-General.

IN THE FIELD, FIVE MILES FROM NEW CREEK, V. A., April 28, 1863—2 a, m. Lieutenant-Colonel CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General, Baltimore, Md. : Just received a dispatch from Mr. Diffy, agent Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, who had just arrived at Oakland. Road and wire repaired

282 N. V. A., W. V. A., M. D., AND P. A. (Cnar, XXXVIt.

tothat point. Both Maryland regiments are ordered to proceed to that place this morning. Mr. Diffy reports the enemy gone west. No damage done, except the burning of the Youghiogheny Bridge. B. F. KELLEY,

BALTIMORE, April 28, 1863. Colonel MULLIGAN, Grafton, Va.:

I was glad to know by your dispatch to General Kelley last night that you had reached Grafton.

I have from Pittsburgh and Harrisburg reports this morning that the rebels were in possession of Morgantown last night. I wait anxiously to hear from you. Isit so? If true, itcan be in no considerable force. Can you not get in the rear and cut them off? I have troops at Oakland and pushing on to Rowlesburg; all the works at Rowlesburg and Cheat River are still safe. Major Showalter has defended that point admirably. Endeavor by all means to open communication with Rowlesburg.

My greatest concern about the railroad now is for Kingwood tunnel. The entire force of the enemy on the line, I am satisfied, does not exceed 1,500—all cavalry. ;

Have you anything from Roberts ?

ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General, Commanding.

BALTIMORE, April 28, 1863. Brigadier-General KELLEY, New Creek: Following just received from Colonel Mulligan, at Grafton :

The rebel force at Morgantown, about 700.or 800, intended to destroy the Fairmont Bridge. Ihave put it beyond damage. My advance has been pushing for Rowlesburg since morning. I will be in there early to-morrow.

General Roberts has just arrived at Clarksburg. He will quiet this region within the next forty-eight hours.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General, Commanding.

April 28, 1863. Colonel MULLIGAN,

The enemy is advancing on Webster, and the stores there will be destroyed. You must defend yourself at Grafton, and aid at Fairmont, if possible.

Take care that rolling-stock does not fall into the hands of the enemy, or subsistence of any kind.

B. 8S. ROBERTS, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Cuar, XXXVIL CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.

BALTIMORE, April 28, 1863—1 p. m. Commanding Officer, Oakland, Md.:

‘Push forward at least a-regiment to Rowlesburg. Watch and follow the enemy at all points. His retreat must be cut off. Endeavor by every means to open your communication with Colonel Mulligan, who is at Grafton.

By order of Major-General Schenck :