HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTHWESTERN VIRGINIA,
Laurel Hill, 12 miles beyond Beverly, June 16, 1861.
General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:
SIR: I have the honor to report that the troops under my command now occupy this pass and the pass over Rich Mountain, leading to Buckhannon. These troops consist at present at this place of a regiment of Virginia volunteers, organized by him [?] yesterday at Huttonsville, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, Captain Shumacker’s battery of artillery, Captain Anderson’s half battery (two pieces), and one company of cavalry. The Buckhannon Pass is occupied by one regiment of infantry, a half battery, and a company of cavalry. I made a forced march by night to reach these passes, in consequence of having heard that the enemy were moving from Philippi to Buckhannon. I presumed his object to be to get possession of the two passes, and thus shut up my force in the valley of Beverly, Huttonsville, &c.
The other troops in rear have not yet arrived. Major Williams, on engineer duty, reported this afternoon, but I doubt whether anything can be done for this pass. It is not so formidable as I had been induced to suppose, and would present no difficulty to good light infantry.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. S. GARNETT,
Brigadier-General.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I, Vol. II. With additions and corrections. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1902.
Spirit of '61 