S. Williams, _ to HEADQUARTERS AT MR. KiTTLEâs House, July 6, 1861
Buckhannon, Va., July 6, 1861.
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you advance from your present position to-morrow morning, and take up a position within two miles of the enemy—near Elliott’s farm—in preference on the south side of Barker’s Mill Run, on the heights in rear of William Yeager’s house. It is deemed preferable to avoid the defile north of the Elliott house by crossing the river somewhere near the nineteenmile post from Beverly, and recrossing at the ford where the Middle Fork road crosses just at the position to be occupied by you.
Your train may remain at Philippi, under a sufficient escort, until you have occupied your new position. You.will move prepared to force any opposition offered, and will at all hazards accomplish the object ‘ proposed. Occupy Belington by a strong advanced guard, and place a strong detacliment to cover the paths leading from the rebel camp to the left flank of your position. From this position push out strong infantry reconnaissances, to ascertain the exact position, condition, and movements of the enemy. Watch them closely day and night. Have everything ready to pursue them should they retreat, and follow them up closely in that event. Make extended reconnaissances, calculated to give the impression that the main attack is to be made by you, and ‘use all efforts to retain them in their present position. Arrange your hour of starting from Philippi so that you will by an easy march reach the vicinity of Elliott’s within an hour or two after sunrise.
Let your advanced guard be of infantry, strong, and near the main ~ column. Do not push out any advanced cavalry patrols. A strong ad_ vanced guard will move from here to-morrow morning to occupy the – Middle Fork Bridge. By the next day the Roaring Creek Bridge will be taken, and perhaps on the same day the town of Beverly will be 14 R R—VOL It
OO40 OPERATIONS IN MD., PA., VA., AND W. VA. — [Cmar. TX,
occupied. The general is delayed by the non-arrival of supplies, but.
hopes to occupy Beverly on Tuesday, at latest—probably on Monday.
‘He asks you to do all in your power to hold the enemy in check in ~
their present position, and to induce them to believe that you will make the main attack; the object being to cut them off at Beverly.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. WILLIAMS, _
Assistant Adjutant- General.
[Inclosure No. 3.]
Letter from Lieut. Col. John Pegram, C. 8. Army.
HEADQUARTERS AT MR. KiTTLE’s House,
Near Tygart’s Valley River, 6 Miles from Beverly, July 12, 1861.
COMMANDING OFFICER OF NORTHERN Forces, Beverly, Va. :
Sir: I write to state to you that I have, in consequence of the retreat