JUNE 29, 1861.
[GENERAL:] On the receipt of your instructions by telegraph to proceed to Elk Camp, after midnight of the 27th I took my staff and sixty-five Chicago dragoons, under Captain Barker, and arrived at 6 a.m. I found it about ten miles below Clarksburg, in the woods, in a bend of the Elk, and about one mile and a half above the bridge. They were sent to cover in the position marked A on the sketch herewith.* Spending two or three hours in reducing things to order and reconnoitering the locality, I found there was no room for any one of the regiments, and some had not even room for a company roll-call. Meanwhile I received your dispatch by messenger, announcing the departure of General Schleich and of Colonel McCook for the same spot. I had the long-roll beat, and the troops assembled from the woods, fields, and ravines, where they were roaming. Those were arrested who did not obey the call, and experienced its meaning. Having given them this lesson I dismissed them for dinner, and gave orders that after they should prepare for a march. I then went forward to examine the country for a suitable camp. The valley in which is the Buckhannon turnpike is narrow, winding along through high hills, covered with timothy and clover, and offers no sufficient space for an encampment until you reach Duncan’s Bottom. Arriving there, the citizens of the vicinity told me I could find a good camping ground in a valley beyond Matty Mountain; it proved a mistake, and I returned to this place, where I met the head of the column, and ordered them to encamp for the night.
It was then 8 o’clock, and I proceeded to Schleich’s camp and wrote you the dispatch sent last evening. On my way I found McCook’s regiment on the only ground fit for the camp at the bridge, which the Eighth and Tenth were sent to cover at the point marked C. Schleich had gone into camp at the Elk Camp at A on the sketch. I returned home at 12.30 o’clock last night, and this morning read your letter of the 27th. Yesterday intelligence of the non-occupation of Buckhannon was confirmed this morning by a scout of the Nineteenth, who slept there last night, and found no secession forces. As telegraphed you last night, I am more and more afraid we shall be compelled to hunt rather than fight.
After these details of my movements and position I have only to add that, according to the tenor of your instructions to occupy Buckhannon with one regiment when I deemed it safe, I have sent the Ninth Ohio, under Colonel McCook, who will probably reach there by 6 o’clock this evening.
No one, my dear general, among your general friends, has more disinterested and earnest wishes for the success of your efforts than the writer of this letter. None under your command are more loyally, cheerfully ready to conform to the duties of a subordinate position, and I even flatter myself I understand the position as well as most of your brigadiers. Review, if you please, that letter which you have put on record, and say whether, after you receive this, both private feelings and public interest are likely to be the better for it.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. S. ROSECRANS,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army.
Major-General MCCLELLAN.
* Not found
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 