HDQRS. NEAR BELINGTON, VA., July 9, 1861.
SIR: Since my report of the 7th instant, i have the honor to inform the commanding general that we now occupy the Elliott farm. Our advanced position is behind Belington, some two hundred yards beyond Belington. A heavy body of timber then commences, which is now occupied by the enemy in large force. Skirmishing has been going on since the occupation of our position. Yesterday they appeared in such force that we threw several shells in the wood, and attempted to occupy it with our pickets; but we were driven in, with the loss of two killed and three wounded. Our total loss up to this time, in killed, is 4; wounded, 6; missing, 1.
I feel sure we could hold this side of the wood, did it not extend our lines too much beyond the point we are instructed to retain. Captain
Hines, my aide-de-camp, was on a hill in view of part of their camp the entire day yesterday. He saw forty to sixty large tents, capable of accommodating twenty-five men each, and saw the ends of rows of tents extending back, and which to him appeared as a large camp. The enemy were in motion several times during yesterday, and their columns were seen marching in our direction. We are sure they were last night in the rear of a round hill in front of Belington, and within three-fourths of a mile, and in numbers at least two or three thousand. Scouts on the hill this morning report their tents in the same position as yesterday.
The instructions of the commanding general will be carried out, although it is difficult to restrain our men from advancing. I hardly know in what terms to convey to you their enthusiasm. Their coolness under such fire as we have been subjected to (incessant since our arrival) is very creditable to them, and established beyond all question, if proof were needed, that they can be relied upon in any emergency.
The regiments in advance are Milroy’s Ninth Indiana, Barnett’s artillery, Steedman’s Fourteenth Ohio, and Dumont’s Seventh Indiana, which regiments deserve special mention.
Rumors from several sources reached us yesterday of re-enforcements to the enemy from the direction of Beverly, but they are not of a character to be reported to the commanding general under the instructions I have received.
Owing to the rapid march from Philippi, made necessary by the instructions of the commanding general of July -, it was impossible to bring much baggage or provisions. Our men are very short of the latter, and we have only seven wagons to the regiment and such scanty assistance as we hire to keep us supplied.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. A. MORRIS,
Brigadier-General.
Maj. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General.
P. S. — Information just in reports the enemy as having retired from the wood in front of Belington. Reconnoitering parties are out in several directions, and the movements of the enemy will be closely watched.
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 