Unknown to James D. Cox, July 2, 1861

Buckhannon, Va., July 2, 1861.

Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox, Camp Dennison, Ohio:

GENERAL: On receipt of this you will at once assume command of the First and Second Kentucky Regiments and the Twelfth Ohio. Call upon Governor Dennison to supply you with one company of cavalry and six guns. Captain Kingsbury probably has State guns enough to give you.

You will expedite the equipment of those regiments, and move them at once to Gallipolis, via Hamden and Portland, hiring teams for the supplies of the troops between Portland and Gallipolis, sending to the quartermaster in advance to have teams ready. With the regiment first ready to move proceed to Gallipolis and assume command of the Twenty-first. Cross the river and occupy Point Pleasant. With the regiment that next arrives occupy Letart’s Falls, and then move the other two regiments to the mouth of Ten-mile Creek, or the point near there where the road from Letart’s Falls intersects the Kanawha River. Place the last regiment in reserve at Point Pleasant, or any proper point in rear of your line of defense. Intrench two guns at Letart’s and four at your advanced position on the Kanawha. Remain on the defensive, and endeavor to keep the rebels near Charleston until I can cut off their retreat by movement from Beverly. Should you receive certain intelligence that I am hard pressed, seek to relieve me by a rapid advance on Charleston, but place no credit in rumors, for I shall be successful. Use your cavalry as pickets, not exposing them. Punish Ripley, if you can. Repress any outbreaks that may occur at Guyandotte or Barboursville.

Remember, my plan is to cut them off, and do all you can to assist that object. Always keep two or three boats on hand. Call on Capt. W. J. Kountz, at Marietta or Ripley, to supply boats from his fleet. If the two companies of Seventeenth Ohio are still at Ravenswood when you reach Gallipolis, order them to rejoin their regiment, via Parkers_burg or Webster. Communicate frequently. A telegraph line follows me ie ve ‘ ery res yours ee ra) i MOCLATLAN, Major-General, Commanding.