Unknown to Benjamin F. Kelley, May 26, 1861

Col. B. F. KELLEY, First Regiment Virginia Volunteers, Wheeling: If you have reliable information that bridges of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad have been burned, you will at once procure transportation on that railroad, and move your whole command, including the separate companies of Virginia volunteers not attached to your regiment, as near to Fairmont as can be done without endangering the safety of your command. Leave a sufficient guard to protect the bridges and other structures most liable to destruction. Colonel Irvine, of the Sixteenth Ohio, is ordered to cross the river and support you. Telegraph me constantly as to the state of affairs, and how much support you need. Conduct the preliminaries of your movement with as much secrecy as possible, and see that the telegraph conveys no intimation of it in any direction. Consult Major Oakes freely. The move must be made with the greatest promptness to secure the bridges. Take at least one week’s rations. Accouterments will follow you to-morrow. I count on your prudence and courage. Preserve the strictest discipline. See that the rights and property of the people are respected, and repress all attempts at negro insurrection. , GEO. B. McCLELLAN, ~ Major-General, U. 8. Army, Commanding Department. tld [Inclosure No. 2.] Instructions to Colonel J. Irvine, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE Ohio,