abstained from sending troops across the Ohio, or even from posting them along its banks, although frequently urged by many of your prominent citizens to do so. It determined to wait the result of the State election, desirous that no one might be able to say that the slightest effort had been made from this side to influence the free expression of your opinions, although the many agencies brought to bear upon you by the rebels were well known. You have now shown, under the most adverse circumstances, that the great mass of the people of Western Virginia are true and loyal to that beneficent Government under which we and our fathers lived so long.

As soon as the result of the election was known, the General Government cannot close its ears to the demand you have made for assistance. I have ordered troops to cross the river. They come as your friends and brothers as enemies only to armed rebels, who are preying upon you; your homes, your families, and your property are safe under our protection. All your rights shall be religiously respected, notwithstanding all that has been said by the traitors to induce you to believe our advent among you will be signalized by so interference with your slaves. Understand one thing clearly not only will we abstain from all such interference, but we will, on the contrary, with an iron hand crush any attempt at insurrection on their part. Now that we are in your midst, I call upon you to fly to arms and support the General Government; sever the connection that binds you to traitors; proclaim to the world that the faith and loyalty so long boasted by the Old Dominion are still preserved in Western Virginia, and that you remain true to the Stars and Stripes.

traitors commenced their work of destruction. The

G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General Commanding.

On the same day he issued the following proclamation to his troops:

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SOLDIERS: You are ordered to cross the frontier and enter on the soil of Virginia. Your mission is to restore peace and confidence, to protect the majesty of the law, and secure our brethren from the grasp of armed traitors. I place under the safeguard of your honor the persons and property of the Virginians. know you will respect their feelings and all their rights, and preserve the strictest discipline. Remember, each one of you holds in his keeping the honor of Ohio and of the Union. If you are called upon to overcome armed opposition, I know your courage is equal to the task. Remember, that your only foes are armed traitors, and show mercy even to them when in your power, for many of them are misguided. When, under your protection, the loyal men of Western Virginia shall have been enabled to organize and form until they can protect themselves, you can return to your homes with the proud satisfaction of having preserved a gallant people from destruction.

G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General Commanding.

The instructions to General McClellan were to cross the Ohio, and, in conjunction with the forces of Westerh Virginia under Colonel Kelly, to drive out the Confederate force, and advance on Harper's Ferry. On the night of the 26th of May, orders were given to Colonel Kelly at Wheeling, to march on Grafton, which he proceeded to execute early the next morning with the First Virginia Volunteers. He was followed on the same day by the Sixteenth Ohio, Colonel Irvine, which had been stationed at Bellair, Ohio. These forces advanced by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. At the same time, the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steadman, crossed the Ohio at Marietta, and occupied Parkersburg. These, advancing on the rail

road, were welcomed by crowds at every station. On the same night, a Confederate force of 1,500 men evacuated Grafton, and that place was occupied, on the 29th, by the Virginia and Ohio Volunteers. Here they were joined by the Seventh and Ninth Indiana. The Confederate force, in the mean time, had retired to Philippi, where they prepared to make a stand with considerable strength. Philippi is twenty-four miles from Grafton, the Confederate force. On the night of June and General McClellan determined to surprise 2, two divisions moved forward to accomplish this purpose. The surprise was complete, and the Confederate force, under Colonel G. A. Porterfield, was forced to retire, abandoning a large amount of stores and arms, with a loss of fifteen killed. Owing to the storm and the darkness of the night, the first division, under Colonel Kelly, was unable to arrive in the rear of the Confederate force soon enough to cut off its retreat. This force retired to Laurel Hill, in the vicinity of Beverly, where the enemy was concentrated in a strongly fortified position, which not only commanded the road to the southern part of the State, whence the Confederate supplies were obtained, but from which an attack upon the Federal forces was constantly threatened. Laurel Hill is on the western slope of a range of the Alleghany Mountains, which runs from northeast to southwest, and which is impassable for an army except at certain points. The Confederate encampment was on a slope which declined gradually to the valley, and was strongly fortified in front, below which passed the only road to southern Virginia. The plan of General McClellan was to occupy the attention of the enemy, by the appearance of a direct attack, while a strong force marched round to his rear to take possession of the road by which his supplies came. The enemy must then either come out of his intrenchments and fight, or starve. Taking the main body of his army, composing a force of ten thousand men, General McClellan moved to Clarksburg, and thence to Buckhannon, on the west of Laurel Hill. Previously however, and on the 7th of July, he ordered General Morris to march upon Laurel Hill, to occupy the enemy. Taking with him the Ninth Indiana, Colonel Milroy, the Fourteenth Ohio, the First Virginia, the Cleveland Artillery, the Sixth and Seventh Indiana, and the Sixth Ohio, in the order named and making a force of about 4,000 men, he left early in the morning, and reached Bealington in front of the enemy at eight o'clock, with his right, having flanking parties on each side, and two companies of skirmishers ahead. The Confederate pickets fired and retreated. slight skirmish ensued with a party of the enemy in a wood beyond the town, about two miles from the Confederate camp, which the Federal force had occupied. On the 8th, a brisk skirmishing was kept up all the afternoon with the Confederates, and some were killed

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on both sides. On the 9th, the skirmishing was renewed, and every outlet of the Confederate camp was watched except that back to Beverly, where General McClellan was soon expected to be. Thus the enemy was held in check on the north and occupied, while General McClellan was attempting to get in his rear. Meantime, as General McClellan reached Buckhannon, he found that the rear of the enemy was strongly fortified at a position called Rich Mountain, which was defended by one to two thousand men, under Colonel Pegram. He now formed the plan of capturing this entire force. For this purpose, General Rosecrans with about three thousand men was sent to attack his rear, while General McClellan himself made a direct attack in front. General Rosecrans with the Eighth, Tenth, Thirteenth Indiana, and Nineteenth Ohio, therefore proceeded, on the 11th, along the line of hills southeast of the enemy's intrenched camp on the Beverly road, to make an attack on the east side, while General McClellan made it on the west side, as soon as he heard from General Rosecrans. A courier, who mistook the road through the enemy's camp for the route of the troops, gave the enemy intelligence of the movement. Their position was about two miles west from Beverly, which is on the east side of what is called Rich Mountain, a gap in the Laurel Hill range, through which the southern road passes. General Rosecrans arrived in the rear of the enemy at four o'clock, and meeting a small force, immediately began the attack, to which they made a vigorous resistance, but were unable to withstand it. The effect was to alarm Colonel Pegram, and upon finding out his exposed position he silently moved off with his main body, with the hope of being able to join the camp at Laurel Hill. Meanwhile General McClellan was in position with his whole force during the afternoon ready to make an assault, but heard nothing from the other column except distant firing. Early in the morning he was about proceeding to plant cannon upon an eminence commanding a portion of the Confederate camp, and preparing to attack the whole next in front, when it was ascertained that the enemy had evacuated his position during the night, moving towards Laurel Hill, leaving only a few men in charge of the sick, cannon, and camp equi. page and transportation.

The following despatch from General McClellan thus announced these movements:

RICH MOUNTAIN, VA., 9 A. M., July 12. Col. E. D. Townsend, Assistant-Adjutant General: We are in possession of all the enemy's works up to a point in sight of Beverly. We have taken all his guns; a very large amount of wagons, tents, &c.; every thing he had; and also a large number of prisoners, many of whom are wounded, and amongst whom are several officers. They lost many killed. We have lost in all, perhaps twenty killed and forty wounded, of whom all but two or three were in the column under Col. Rosecrans, which turned the position. The mass of the enemy escaped through the woods entirely dis

organized. Among the prisoners is Dr. Taylor, formerly of the army. Col. Pegram was in command. ing and marched some eight miles through the mounCol. Rosecrans' column left camp yesterday morntains, reaching the turnpike some two or three miles in the rear of the enemy. He defeated an advanced force, and took a couple of guns. I had a position ready for twelve guns near the main camp, and as the had retreated. I am now pushing on to Beverly-a guns were moving up I ascertained that the enemy part of Colonel Rosecrans' troops being now within three miles of that place. Our success is complete and almost bloodless. I doubt whether Wise and Johnston will unite and overpower me. The behavior of our troops in action and towards prisoners was admirable. G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General Commanding.

By the retreat of Colonel Pegram, the rear of the Confederate force at Laurel Hill was entirely exposed. On the 11th, General Garnett first learned that General McClellan was in his rear. He immediately evacuated his camp, and retired before General Morris, hoping to reach Beverly in advance of General McClellan, and thus be able to withdraw his forces by the road to southern Virginia. Upon arriving within three miles of Beverly, the fugitives of Colonel Pegram's force were met, and finding escape impossible by that route, General Garnett returned towards Laurel Hill, and took the road branching off to the northeast towards St. George, in Tucker County. His aim was now to press along the base of the mountains down the Cheat River, with the hope of finding some practicable path across the mountains into the valley of Virginia. The following despatch of General McClellan describes the precise state of affairs at this time:

To Col. E. D. Townsend:

BEVERLY, VA., July 13, 1861.

The success of to-day is all that I could desire. We captured six brass cannon, of which one was rifled; their cups. The number of tents will probably reach all their camp equipage and transportation, even to two hundred, and more than sixty wagons. Their killed and wounded will fully amount to one hundred and fifty. We have at least one hundred prisoners, and more coming in constantly. I know already of plete. We occupied Beverly by a rapid march. Garten officers killed and prisoners. Their retreat is comnett abandoned his camp early this morning, leaving his camp equipage. He came within a few miles of Beverly, but our rapid march turned him back in great confusion, and he is now retreating on the road to St. closely. I have telegraphed for the Second Pennsyl George. I have ordered Gen. Morris to follow him up vania Regiment at Cumberland to join Gen. Hill at Rowlesburg. The General is concentrating all his troops at Rowlesburg, to cut off Garnett's retreat, if possible, to St. George. I may say we have driven out some ten thousand troops, strongly intrenched, with the loss of eleven killed and thirty-five wounded. Provision returns were found showing Garnett's force to have been ten thousand men. They were Eastern Virginians, Georgians, Tennesseans, and, I think, Carolinians. To-morrow I can give full particulars, &c. Will more on Huttonsville to-morrow and endeavor to seize the Cheat Mountain pass, where there by this time driven Wise out of the Kanawha valley. are now but few troops. I hope that Gen. Cox has In that case I shall have accomplished the object of liberating Western Virginia. I hope the General will approve my operations.

G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General Commanding. Up the mountains, through defiles, and

over rugged ridges, guided by the tents, campfurniture, provisions, and knapsacks thrown sway, the hot pursuit of the flying enemy was pressed. Capt. Bonham led the advance, and Gen. Morris the rear, and after fording Cheat River four times, they came up with the enemy's rear guard at Carrick's Ford, where the enemy attempted to make a stand, but were attacked on the right flank and forced to retire. At another turn in the river, about a quarter of a mile below, the enemy again attempted to stand. Gen. Garnett tried in vain to rally his men and gather them around him. While he was thus standing with his back to the Federal forces, he received a Minié ball on the left of the spine. It made a terrible wound, piercing the heart and coming out at the right nipple. He threw up his arm and fell dead. The Confederate rout was now complete. Only about two thousand of the troops with which Gen. Garnett left his intrenchments, escaped. Gen. McClellan's despatch was as follows:

To Edu. Townsend.

HUTTONSVILLE, July 14, 1861.

Garnett and forces routed. His baggage and one gun taken. His army demoralized. Garnett killed. We have annihilated the enemy in Western Virginia, and have lost thirteen killed and not more than forty wounded. We have in all killed at least two hundred of the enemy, and their prisoners will amount to at least one thousand. Have taken seven guns in all. I still look for the capture of the remnant of Garnett's army by Gen. Hill.

The troops defeated are the crack regiments of Eastern Virginia, aided by Georgians, Tennesseans, and Carolinians.

Our success is complete, and secession is killed in this country. G. B. MCCLELLAN, Maj.-Gen. Commanding. Meantime Col. Pegram, hearing of the retreat of Gen. Garnett, surrendered the remnant of his force to Gen. McClellan, who now issued the following address to his soldiers:

WESTERN VIRGINIA, Beverly, Va., July 19, 1861. Soldiers of the Army of the West:

I am more than satisfied with you. You have annihilated two armies, commanded by educated and experienced soldiers, intrenched in mountain fastnesses and fortified at their leisure. You have taken five guns, twelve colors, fifteen hundred stand of arms, one thousand prisoners, including more than forty officers. One of the second commanders of the rebels is a prisoner, the other lost his life on the field of battle. You have killed more than two hundred and fifty of the enemy, who has lost all his baggage and camp equipage. All this has been accomplished with the loss of twenty brave men killed and sixty wounded on your part.

You have proved that Union men, fighting for the preservation of our Government, are more than a match for our misguided and erring brothers. More than this, you have shown mercy to the vanquished. You have made long and arduous marches, with insufficient food, frequently exposed to the inclemency of the weather. I have not hesitated to demand this of you, feeling that I could rely on your endurance, patriotism, and courage. In the future I may have still greater demands to make upon you, still greater sacrifices for you to offer. It shall be my care to provide for you to the extent of my ability; but I know now that, by your valor and endurance, you will accomplish all that is asked.

Soldiers! I have confidence in you, and I trust you

have learned to confide in me. Remember that discipline and subordination are qualities of equal value the highest reward that American troops can receive with courage. I am proud to say that you have gained the thanks of Congress and the applause of your fellow-citizens. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General.

Gen. McClellan was subsequently called to the active command of the Army of the Potomac. Frequent collisions or skirmishes continued to take place between detached parties or at small advanced posts, as at Bunker Hill in Virginia, on July 15th; Millville, Missouri, on the 16th, Barboursville, Virginia, and Fulton, Missouri, on the 17th. Some loss was thus inflicted on each side.

But movements of a more important character were now progressing in Virginia near Washington.

The Southern Government håving inclined to the defensive policy as that upon which they should act, their first object was to prevent an advance of any Federal force into Virginia. Early in the month of May troops were assembled in Richmond, and pushed forward toward the northeastern boundary of the State, to a name is given to this hilly region, as it is here position known as Manassas Junction. The that a railroad from Alexandria, another from Staunton up the valley and through Manassas Gap, and another from Gordonsville unite. At Gordonsville the railroad from Richmond and the line from East Tennessee unite. point for concentration none more eligible exists in northeastern Virginia. The advantages for fortification are naturally such that the place can be rendered impregnable. Here the centre of the northern force of the Southern army was posted, with the left wing pushed forward to Winchester, and the right extended to the Potomac, and sustained by heavy batteries which

served to blockade the river.

As a

The Federal force, the advance of which was assembled at Washington for the defence of that city against any attack by the Southern troops, was posted on the Virginia side of the Potomac, on Arlington Heights, which were strongly fortified. Their right was pushed some distance up the Potomac, and chiefly on the Maryland side, while their left occupied Alexandria. The armies of both sides consisted of raw militia hastily brought together, and of volunteers who for the first time had put on the uniform, and taken up the weapons of the soldier. On both sides the forces were constantly accumulating. On the morning of June 27th, the consolidated report of Gen. Mansfield, commanding the Department of Washington, gives the number of troops in that city and vicinity. The privates, including regulars and volunteers present for duty, numbered 22,846 men. grand aggregate of the force, including officers, etc., present and absent, was 34,160 men. The force of Gen. Patterson, commanding in Maryland above Washington, and also on the Virginia side of the Potomac, on the 28th of June, was returned, embracing officers and men on

The

listed and present for duty, 15,923. Of these about 550 were reported as sick.

The Confederate force was largely increased by troops from South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. On the night after the battle Mr. Davis sent a despatch to Richmond by telegraph, saying: "The battle was mainly fought on our left. Our force was 15,000; that of the enemy estimated at 35,000. Gen. McDowell in his official report says: "We crossed Bull Run with about 18,000 men, of all arms." "The numbers opposed to us have been variously estimated. I may safely say, and avoid even the appearance of exaggeration, that the enemy brought up all he could, which were not kept engaged elsewhere." The force under Gen. McDowell, on the 8th of July, was organized into five divisions. The first division, under Brig.-Gen. Tyler, consisted of four brigades. The regiments in each brigade were as follows: First brigade, under Col. Keyes, First, Second, Third, Connecticut; Fourth Maine; Varian's battery, and Company B, Second Cavalry. In the second brigade, under Col. Schenck, the regiments were as follows: First, Second, Ohio; Second New York, and Company E, Second Artillery. In the third brigade, under Col. W. T. Sherman, were the Thirteenth, Sixty-ninth, Seventy-ninth, New York; Second Wisconsin; and Company E, Third Artillery. In the fourth brigade, under Col. Richardson, Second, Third, Michigan; First Massachusetts; Twelfth New York. In the second division, under Col. David Hunter, were two brigades. These contained the following regiments: In the first brigade, under Col. Porter, were the Eighth, Fourteenth, New York; battalion of regular infantry; Companies G and L, Second Cavalry; Company Fifth Artillery. In the second brigade, under Col. Burnside, were the First, Second, Rhode Island; Seventy-first New York; Second New Hampshire; battery of Light Artillery, R. I.

In the third division, under Col. Heintzelman, were three brigades with the following regiments: In the first brigade, under Col. Franklin, were the Fourth Pennsylvania; Fifth Massachusetts; First Minnesota; Company E, Second Cavalry; Company I, First Artillery. In the second brigade, under Col. Wilcox, were the First Michigan; Eleventh New York; Company D, Second Artillery. In the third brigade, under Col. Howard, were the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Maine; Second Vermont.

In the fourth division, under Brig.-Gen. Runyon, as a reserve, were the following regiments: First, Second, Third, Fourth, New Jersey threemonths' volunteers, and First, Second, Third, New Jersey three years' volunteers.

In the fifth division, under Col. Miles, were two brigades. In the first brigade were the following volunteers, Col. Blenker commanding: Eighth, Twenty-ninth, New York; Garibaldi Guard, and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania. In the second brigade under Col. Davies, were the Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Thirty-first, Thirty

second, New York; Company G, Second Artillery.

The movement of troops to attack the Southern army commenced on the 16th of July. It was first made known to the inhabitants of Washington by their sudden disappearance from the opposite or Virginia side of the Potomac. The force comprised in this movement consisted of five divisions, as above mentioned, but a few of the details were altered. A body of five hundred mariners was also added. On the 17th, the advance of Gen. McDowell's entire command was begun. It was made by four different routes. The right wing, composed of the first division of four brigades under Gen. Tyler, moved by the Georgetown road. The centre, composed of the second division of two brigades under Col. Hunter, advanced by the Leesburg and Centreville road. The left wing, consisting of the third division of three brigades, under Col. Heintzelman, moved by the Little River turnpike, and the other part of the wing, consisting of the fifth division of two brigades, under Col. Miles, proceeded by the old Braddock road. The reserve consisted of the fourth division of New Jersey troops, under Gen. Runyon.

The following order, issued by Gen. McDowell from his headquarters at Arlington on July 5th, shows the condition of the men when ready to march:

When troops are paraded in light marching order, they will be equipped as follows: Their arms, accoutrements, and ammunition-the cartridge-boxes tions; their blankets in a roll, with the ends tied to filled. Their haversacks, with three days' cooked raeach other, across the shoulder; and where it is pos sible, a pair of stockings inside of the blanket. Their canteens and cups; knapsacks will be packed and sisting of those men least able to march, and to the left in the tent under a guard of the regiment, connumber to be specially designated for each corps. Knapsacks should be numbered or marked in such way as will enable them to be readily claimed by their owners. Commanding officers of brigades will baggage of the regiments under their commands, by take measures to diminish as quickly as possible the sending away every thing not absolutely necessary. This will apply to the personal effects of the officers and men, as well as to military property.

Near Fairfax Court House obstructions had been placed by the Southern troops upon all the roads upon which the divisions advanced. The division of the centre marched with the left brigade in front. This placed the Rhode Island troops, under Col. Burnside, in advance. The Second regiment was employed as skirmishers in front of the division. Their lines extended from half a mile to two miles on each side of the road. The Confederate troops retired as fast as the head of the advancing column made its appearance. Within three miles of the Court House the division encountered the first barricade, consisting of trees felled and thrown across the road. The second was of a similar character. They occasioned only a few moments' delay. more formidable: deep cut, about half

The third barricade was It was at the entrance of a way up a steep hill, crowned

on one side by a thick wood, and on the other by an open field. A road was made through the field, and the army passed around. When the central division reached the village of Fairfax Court House, an order was sent to the left wing to halt, and Gen. McDowell with his staff, escorted by a squadron of dragoons, proceeded to Germantown, where the right wing was halted. It was his desire to push forward without delay to Centreville.

Germantown is a small village on the road from Fairfax Court House to Centreville, and about one-fourth of the distance beyond the former.

The order to move forward was first given to all divisions of the army on the 15th. Gen. Tyler, of the right wing, communicated it to his troops that evening, with orders to be ready to move at 2 P. M. on the 16th, provided with cooked rations for three days. Precisely at that hour the right wing began to move forward, and reached Vienna, and encamped for the night.

At 5 o'clock the next morning, the onward march was renewed. It was necessarily slow, owing to the obstructions placed in the road. The enemy during the day rapidly retreated upon the approach of the Federal army. Germantown was reached soon after noon. Col. Miles' division of the left wing was at the crossing of the old Braddock road with the road from Fairfax Court House to Fairfax Station, on the railroad, when ordered to halt. On the 18th it was ordered forward to Centreville by the old Braddock road. The other brigades of this wing halted at Fairfax Station and below. Eleven of the enemy's force were made prisoners at this station.

The right wing, Gen. Tyler, resumed its march from Germantown to Centreville at 7 o'clock on the morning of the next day, the 18th. Upon coming in sight of Centreville, the town proved to have been evacuated. Part of the division proceeded through the village, and turning into a by-road to the right, advanced a short distance toward Bull Run, a valley traversed by a creek about three miles from Centreville. A halt was then commanded, and the whole division encamped on both sides of the road.

About 11 o'clock, Gen. Tyler proceeded to make a reconnoissance in force. He took the fourth brigade of his division, composed of the Second and Third Michigan, First Massachusetts, and Twelfth New York, under Col. Richardson, together with Ayres' battery, and four companies of cavalry. Advancing south on the road from Centreville to Manassas, which crosses Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford through a long stretch of timber, for about two miles, they came to an opening, when sight was caught of a strong body of the enemy. Ayres' battery was ordered to advance and open on them from a commanding elevation. Hardly had the firing well commenced, when it was replied to by a battery which had not been

seen, at a distance down the road. Some of the grape shot from this battery killed two horses of the cavalry drawn up in a body on a hill, and wounded two of the men. A vigorous response being kept up by Ayres' battery, the enemy soon retired into the woods, when the firing ceased. The Second Michigan was then ordered to deploy as skirmishers on the left of the road, and advance into the wood. They briskly moved forward and entered the timber, and quickly after their disappearance a lively exchange of rifle shots took place for a few minutes. This was soon followed by a succession of volleys, evidently discharged by large bodies of men. The Third Michigan, the First Massachusetts, and the Twelfth New York, composing the remainder of the brigade, were then ordered to advance toward the wood. This was promptly done. They then drew up in battle array in front and on the right of the timber. All this time the firing in the woods went on in the liveliest style. Companies G and H and others of the First Massachusetts, and some companies of the New York Twelfth, were then ordered into the woods as skirmishers, at the same time the cavalry and two howitzers advanced to their edge. Meanwhile the firing within was kept up. The howitzers then threw some grape shot into the timber, when a terrific series of volleys of musketry was discharged from the woods upon the troops outside. At the same time a battery opened from an elevation in the rear, and poured a storm of grape and canister at the Federal troops. Fortunately the fire was aimed too high, and few outside the woods were hit. A retreat was now ordered, and the whole brigade retired, and formed behind their battery on the hill. In doing this, the Twelfth New York and a portion of the First Massachusetts broke ranks and scattered in different directions for some distance on their retreat.

At this time the third brigade, under Col. Sherman, came up, headed by the Sixty-ninth New York. The fire was now reopened from the battery, and continued about an hour, to which the enemy's battery vigorously replied. Their shot and shells struck the houses in front of the battery, and raked the woods in the rear for a considerable distance. A retreat was then ordered by Gen. McDowell, who had come up, and the entire force fell back, having suffered a loss of one hundred killed and wounded.

This reconnoissance developed a degree of strength and preparation on the part of the enemy greater than had been anticipated. During the day the centre and left wings came up, and the whole force was concentrated at Centreville.

The next two days were passed by the Federal force in strengthening its position. Meantime the Commander-in-Chief was occupied in obtaining more accurate knowedge of the posi tion and strength of the enemy, and arranging his plans for an attack. The result of these re