Unknown to H. A. Wise, July 11, 1861

Richmond, Va., July 11, 1861.

Brig. Gen. H. A. WISE, Commanding, &c., Charleston, Va.:

GENERAL: In a letter received to-day from General Garnett, commanding Northwestern Army, he reports having learned from reliable sources that two thousand eight hundred men, who had been embarked on light-draught steamers at Pittsburgh to operate in the Kanawha Valley, have been diverted from that purpose and landed at Parkersburg, from which place they have been advanced to Clarksburg and Buckhannon, and with other troops have taken up their position in his front. He thinks they will not attempt an invasion of the Kanawha Valley if made to apprehend danger of losing possession of the Northwestern Railroad and country, and that one of the most effective means of keeping that valley free is to give General McClellan full occupation where he nowis. He thinks that if your column should move from Charleston direet upon Parkersburg it would merely have the effect of bringing further re-enforcements from Ohio; but if it were to march from Summersville, in Nicholas County, to Bulltown, in Braxton, both of which are loyal to our cause, it would be within a few days’ march of Weston, and would threaten both it and Buckhannon, and that the enemy would thus be divided, and might be struck at in detail. Communication with General Garnett can be had by way of Huttonsville. He estimates the enemy’s force at six thousand men; at Grafton, a few hundred; at Clarksburg, about three thousand; at Weston, two thousand; and at Cheat River Bridge, from two to three thousand; making a total of about seventeen thousand men. General McClellan was said to be in command at Grafton and General Morris at Philippi.

I have thought proper to give you the above information that you may be informed of the enemy’s supposed purposes on your right; and

should you not find employment for your command in the Kanawha Valley, and think it advisable, you might concert measures with General Garnett for a united attack on Be ‘forces of General McClellan. Respectfully, &c., R. E. LEE, General, Commanding.

Reports from and instructions to Maj. M. G. Harman, C. 8. Army, commanding at Staunton, Va.

STAUNTON, VA., July 14, 1861. General R. E. LEE:

Below is a note, sent in by Private Strain, from Colonel Scott. I can form no idea of the extent of the loss we have sustained, but will communicate with you as I receive information. Have telegraph offices kept open night and day:

HUTTONSVILLE, VA., July 12, 1861.

DeEaR Sir: Camp Garnett has been taken, and General Garnett ill retire through Hardy. I am directed to unite with your regiment and Colonel Johnson’s, and fortify Cheat Mountain. Therefore hasten your march by forced rie Se?

W. SCOTT, Colonel Forty- Pl Regiment.

I will do all in my power to raise one thousand men in this county, to march to General Garnett’s aid before the governor returns, and will do all that can be done to procure transportation to send off the Arkansas regiments without delay.

M. G. HARMAN, Major, Commanding.

STAUNTON, VA., July 14, 1861. Maj. Gen. RoBERT H. LEE:

DEAR Sir: I have received the inclosed from W. C. Scott, of the Forty-fourth Regiment Virginia Volunteers.* I telegraphed you the ‘same, but send it, for fear it has not reached you. Have the offices kept open night and day. I have had all the colonels of the militia of the county summoned to be here at 7 o’clock this morning, and will, according to your orders, have the whole militia of the county called out to-day. Every exertion shall be made to have all pushed up with promptness and dispatch. J will advise you by telegraph as further information reaches me. I cannot yet tell the extent of the disaster, but fear, from Colonel Scott’s retrograde movement, that it is serious, and also much fear that General Garnett will at least lose all his wagons and baggage going through Hardy.

Mr. Hughes, a member of the Convention, from the county of Randolph, I think, was sent by Colonel Scott to Colonel Pegram, and was killed by our own men. Captain De Lagnel was dangerously wounded, and reported left on the field. Give my orders by telegraph as any. thing occurs. Please see the Quartermaster-General. 1 wrote to him by to- day’s mail, and you will see, from his letter, that I need instructions to purchase horses for the transportation required. I have asked to be furnished with $20,000. My letter will give you particulars. The cars are waiting.

Hastily and respectfully, M. G. HARMAN, Major, Commanding.

Cnr. IX.] CAMPAIGN IN WEST VIRGINIA. 245