Buckhannon, Va., July 7, 1861.
My advance guard, under Colonel R. L. McCook, consisting of Fourth and Ninth, and one battery and one company of cavalry, has occupied Middle Fork Bridge, twelve miles east. Tenth Indiana has moved up in support. Headquarters and four regiments, with one battery and one company of cavalry, move east to-morrow. Supply train now arriving. Three Indiana regiment march to-morrow. Enemy said to be intrenched in force in my front. Cannot rely reports. Will not learn what I have met until the advance guard comes in contact. I will be prepared to fight whatever is in front of me. One of my parties surprised a party near Weston last night and took prisoners six armed men with their horses. Another party of fifty killed at least seven of the enemy, and lost one man killed and five wounded. Brought off all the wounded and the arms of the killed. Advance guard received the body to-day. The men are in magnificent spirits for a battle. The only trouble will be to restrain them.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-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 