Letter

Unknown to Colonel Irvine, May 26, 1861

Author

Unknown

Recipient

Colonel Irvine

Date

May 26, 1861

Type

Letter

Cincinnati, May 26, 1861.

Colonel IRVINE, Sixteenth Regiment O. V. M., Bellaire:

Colonel Kelley is ordered to occupy the bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as far towards Fairmont as can be done with safety. You will cross the river, and support the movement with your entire command. Leave a detachment to guard the bridge over the Ohio and secure Wheeling. Advance the rest of your command at least as far as Fish Creek. Render all assistance in preserving the bridges. I do not expect you to be driven back. Support will soon reach you if necessary. Preserve the strictest discipline. Take one week’s rations. See that the rights and property of the people are respected, and repress all attempts at negro insurrection.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding Department.

Editor's Notes

From: Operations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 1861. Location: Cincinnati. Summary: Major-General McClellan orders Colonel Irvine to secure and defend key bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad near Wheeling, maintain discipline, and prevent insurrection during early Civil War operations.

Topics

1861 Civil War Field Reports Military Correspondence Military Operations

Sources

The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 2 View original source ↗