W. M. W. Averell to Curtin, May 1, 1863

May 1, 1863. Governor CuRTIN, Harrisburg, Pa. : The whole disposable force at Baltimore and elsewhere in reach have _ already been sent after the enemy which alarms you. The worst thing the enemy could do for himself would be to weaken himself before Hooker, and therefore it is safe to believe he is not doing it, and the best thing he could do for himself would be to get us so scared as to bring part of Hooker’s force away, and that is just what he is trying to do. I will telegraph you in the morning about calling out the militia.

BALTIMORE, May 1, 1863—2.40 p. m. Brigadier-General KELLEY:

The Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, from Winchester, will take the cars westward from Martinsburg at 6 o’clock this afternoon. Am awaiting your answer to telegram sent you this morning as to Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, also asking if you will have Fourteenth New Jersey Infantry, 470 strong, on Virginia side.

Peirpoint telegraphs that rebels are concentrating, 7,000 strong, at Mannington. He says those at Morgantown came from Beverly. Look out if any part of this be true. It is possible they may design to draw all our force to Clarksburg, to get in our rear. Kenly can probably relieve Roberts without Mulligan.

W. M. H. CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General.

BALTIMORE, May 1, 1863.

I have no report that Union troops have been repulsed anywhere except at Fairmont, between Grafton and Wheeling, where, two days ago, a party guarding the bridge over the Monongahela were driven off by largely superior numbers, and the bridge destroyed. Other bridges near Littleton and Benton have also been burned. The enemy are now around Clarksburg, where Colonel Mulligan has gone to the relief of

348 N. VA, W. V. A., M. D., AND P. A. (Cuar. XXXVI.

General Roberts, and where I expect their combined forces to drive and defeat the rebels. I hold Grafton, and occupy all the railroad from here to that point, the only serious damage on the line having been the burning of the bridge over the Youghiogheny, which has already been rebuilt and was crossed this morning by cars and troops.

L have no reliable information of any invasion of Pennsylvania. I have heard of the rebel force at Morgantown, and am not certain whether they are there yet, or now down near the railroad west of Grafton, or crossed over to join the others near Clarksburg.

The wild panic at Wheeling and at Pittsburgh has been to me all along unaccountable. Please pass this telegram on to Governor Peiroint. : I find by report from General Kelley that the Governor was entirely mistaken about 7,000 rebels at Mannington. I wish the troops at Wheeling, instead of sticking to the town, would go out or send out and look along the railroad to help stop the mischief, if any is still going on west of Grafton. Besides about 4,500 troops of all arms with Roberts and Wilkinson, at Clarksburg, I have sent westward into the invaded district over 6,000. All I want is some co-operation from the direction of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River, to beat and capture the enemy completely, if he does not escape by Clarksburg at once. ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General, Commanding.

BALTIMORE, M. D., May 1, 1863. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

Mr. Garrett informs me of your misapprehension as to strength of cavalry in Valley. Elliott’s brigade has two regiments; whole strength, 1,414. This includes officers and men, sick, absent, detached, &c.—less than 1,000 fighting men. His last report, 868 present for duty. Both regiments are running Pennsylvanians. McReynolds’ brigade, at Berryville, has one regiment, First New York, 506 for duty. This regiment engaged scouting the Blue Ridge and up the Shenandoah. Garrett gave me this morning, 3 a. m., first authentic intelligence of Hooker crossing Rappahannock.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General.

BALTIMORE, M. D., May 1, 1863. (Received 2.30 a. m.) Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLEcK, General-in-Chief : . Following just received from David, cipher correspondent at Parkersurg:

Message to Mulligan cannot be sent. Line broken at Brid

: 1 ‘ geport. Enemy captured company of cavalry 4 miles east of Clarksburg, and are ye eepreentcd Ba surrounding the town. Attack momentarily expected.

> T. B. A. DAVID. send this to General Kelley, who may be able to reach Mulligan from the east and to have Clarksburg supported from Grafton. ‘ ROBT, C. SCHENCK, Major-General.

BALTIMORE, M. D., May 1, 1863—2.30 p. m. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief : Following just received from New Creek, dated 1.30 p. m.:

Lieutenant-Colonel CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General :

General Kenly has just arrived at Grafton; will push right on to Clarksburg by rail as far as he can with safety, then debark and march by turnpike. I will order him to attack and raise the siege at once. Mulligan will move by my old route to Philippi, on east side of the river, and cut off their retreat by the Beverly and Fairmont turnpike. He will not move, however, till I hear something definite from Roberts. Everything looks well now. The enemy have completely surrounded Roberts, but had not attempted to attack him up to last advices.

B. F. KELLEY, Brigadier-General.

BALTIMORE, May 1, 1863. Major-General MILRoyY, Winchester, Va.: Hold the best regiment of Elliott’s cavalry in readiness for imme . diate service on the railroad west. Report immediately by telegraph the number fit for duty in the regiment. By order: W. M. H. CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General.

WINCHESTER, V. A., May 1, 1863. Colonel CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General, Baltimore :

Elliott’s cavalry, rank and file, fit for duty, 790. Kelley reported rebel cavalry near Bath last evening. I sent Major McGee, with three companies of Virginia cavalry, to reconnoiter that country early this morning.

R. H. MILROY, Major-General.

BALTIMORE, May 1, 1863. Brigadier-General KELLEY, New Creek, Va.: Must send cavalry west on railroad. Order Fourteenth Pennsylvania ready immediately at Martinsburg to take cars I will send. Telegraph strength, and how soon can send detachment Fourteenth New Jersey to Martinsburg. W. M. H. CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General.

BALTIMORE, M. D., May 1, 1863. General Mitroy, Winchester, Va. : Must send cavalry west on railroad. At what earliest hour to-day can the Twelfth or Thirteenth Pennsylvania be at Martinsburg to take cars? Will send also Fourteenth Pennsylvania. Can Elliott go in command? Enemy still occupying and destroying beyond Grafton. Roberts reported surrounded. Hooker’s entire army across Rappahan.- nock. At Washington they feel sure Lee must recall Hill’s or other forces from the Valley. Will send you three more companies Massachusetts artillery. Hold Winchester. ROBT. C. SCHENCK, Major-General.

CLARKSBURG, V. A., May 1, 1863. Brigadier-General LIGHTBURN, Wheeling, Va.:

Run all your available force to the extreme point that they can be transported by rail, which, I think, is Fairmont, and march as rapidly as possible for this point. Supplies should be thrown out as far as possible upon the railroad.

B. 8S. ROBERTS, Brigadier-General.

CLARKSBURG, V. A., May 1, 1863. Brig. Gen. J. A. J. LIGHTBURN, Mannington, Va.:

Rebel General Jones crossed the Parkersburg Railroad at Bridgeport, and is now encamped about 9 miles from here, near Philippi road. Rebel Generals Imboden’s and Jackson’s combined forces are either between this place and Weston or this place and Buckhannon, marching to form junction with Jones for an attack, as I know, upon this place. Have your supplies forwarded as far as possible.

B. S. ROBERTS, Brigadier-General.

‘ [May] 1, 1863. Brigadier-General ROBERTS:

Has General Kenly arrived? What is your latest news of the enemy? Don’t let him escape you if it can possibly be prevented. Communicate fully with me.

B. F. KELLEY, Brigadier-General.

CLARKSBURG, V. A., ‘ May 1, 1863. Brigadier-General KELLEY, New Creek:

Your telegram received. Jones’ force passed my left through Bridgeport to-day. It is now encamped on Brushy Fork, 9 miles from this place, evidently trying to form a junction with Imboden’s and Jackson’s forces. The advance of their forces on the Buckhannon road, 4 miles beyond Maxwell’s Mills. They intend, after joining their forces, to attack this place.

Part of Jackson’s forces reached Weston yesterday at noon, and are reported to be moving in this direction and to co-operate in attack,

General Kenly has just reached Bridgeport with his command, and will join me before morning. One of his regiments and a section of artillery I have ordered to remain at Bridgeport. The combined forces of Imboden, Jones, and Jackson, according to the best information I have received, are about 6,000 men, the greater part of it cavalry and one battery of artillery, six pieces.

You must throw supplies of subsistence and forage by rail to Grafton. I have no cavalry that can do any service. The forces of Milroy should be thrown in toward Franklin, to cut off Jones’ retreat. Scammon’s forces should be drawn round toward Summerville and Lewisburg, to prevent retreat in that direction.

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Washington, D. C., May 2, 1863—11 a. m. Major-General HooKER:

We cannot control intelligence in relation to your movements while your generals write letters giving details. A letter from General Van Alen to a person not connected with the War Department describes _ your position as intrenched at Chancellorsville. Can’t you give his sword something to do, so that he will have less time for the pen?

CHANCELLORSVILLE, V. A., May 2, 1863—1.55 a. m. Major-General BUTTERFIELD:

Direct all of the bridges to be taken up at Franklin’s crossing and below before daylight, and for Reynolds’ corps to march at once, with pack train, to report to headquarters.*

JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAQ, May 2, 1863—5.05 a. m. Major-General HOOKER, Commanding, &c.:

Dispatch dated 1.55 o’clock for removement of Reynolds and bridges just received, 4.55 o’clock. The same is now up. Copy has been delivered to Sedgwick.* It cannot be complied with as regards before daylight. Telegraph operator says the orderly lost his way who brought

it to United States Ford. DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General, Chief of Staff.

The orderly must run his horse from United States Ford to General Hooker’s.

May 2, 1863. (Delivered 10 a. m.) General BUTTERFIELD: I have not dared to take up the bridges at Franklin’s crossing. Reynolds’ bridge ought not to be taken away until after dark; it may cost

*See Butterfield to Sedgwick, 5a. m., p. 361.

the loss of many boats. Will pontoon wagons be sent to take them at dark? Shall the bridges at Franklin’s crossing be taken up at dark without further instructions? Please communicate.* SEDGWICK, General.

(Repeated to General Hooker.)

MAy 2, 1863—10.05 a. m. General HOOKER:

Sedgwick says has not dared to take up bridges at Franklin’s. Reynolds’ bridge ought not to be taken away until after dark; it may cost the loss of many boats. Asks shall bridges at Franklin’s be taken up at dark without further instructions.t Desires above communicated.

DANL. BUTTERFIELD, Major-General.

Banks’ ForD, May 2, 1863—6.20 a. m. (Received 7.10 a. m.) Generals HOOKER and BUTTERFIELD:

All quiet; few pickets of the enemy in sight along the river, and a few vedettes show themselves from time to time. No bodies of troops to be seen so far this morning. Owen’s command, Second Corps, here.

HENRY J. HUNT, Brigadier-General, [Chief of Artillery.]

EN ROUTE TO UNITED STATES FoRD, May 2, 1863—7.20 a. m. Captain CANDLER, Aide-de-Camp, &e.:

Your dispatch of yesterday, stating that the major-general commanding did not understand what I was doing at Rapidan Station, was received at 7.05 a. m. to-day, and I have the honor to state in reply that I have been engaged with the cavalry of the enemy at that point and in destroying communications, and to inclose a copy of an order received from headquarters Cavalry Corps.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,