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of Ordnance; Brig.-Gen. George Stoneham, |
Volunteer service, chief of Cavalry; Brig.-Gen.
W. S. Barry, Volunteer service, chief of Artil-
lery.
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,
Maj.-General Ú. S. A.

Doc. 202.

hazards to destroy the Government which, for
eighty years, has defended our rights, and
given us a name among the nations. Contrary
to your interests and your wishes, they have
brought war upon your soil. Their tools and
dupes told you you must vote for secession as
the only means to insure peace; that unless
you did so, hordes of abolitionists would over-
run you, plunder your property, steal your
slaves, seize upon your lands, and hang all
those who opposed them.

By these and other atrocious falsehoods they
alarmed you, and led many honest and unsus-
pecting citizens to vote for secession. Neither

PROCLAMATION OF GOV. CURTIN. Pennsylvania ss., A. G. Curtin, Governor :— In the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the said Commonwealth, A Proclamation to the freemen of the Common-threats, nor fabrications, nor intimidations sufwealth of Pennsylvania:ficed to carry Western Virginia against the inWashington is again believed to be in dan-terest and wishes of its people, into the arms ger. The President has made an earnest appeal of secession. for all the men that can be furnished to be sent

forward without delay. If Pennsylvania now puts forth her strength, the hords of hungry rebels may be swept down to the latitudes where they belong. If she falters, the seat of tumults, disorder, and rapine may be transferred to her own soil. Let every man so act that he will not be ashamed to look at his mother, his wife, or sisters.

Euraged that you dared to disobey their behests, Eastern Virginians, who had been accustomed to rule you and count your votes, and ambitious recreants from among yourselves, disappointed that you would not make good their promises, have conspired to tie you to the desperate fortunes of the Confederacy, or drive you from your homes.

Between submission to them and subjugation In this emergency it devolves upon me to call or expulsion, they leave you no alternative. upon all commanders of companies to report You say you do not wish to destroy the old immediately to the head-quarters of the Com-Government, under which you have lived so monwealth, at Harrisburg, that means may be provided for their immediate transportation,

with the men under their commands.

The three-months volunteers, whose discharge has so weakened the army, are urged by every consideration of feeling, duty, and patriotism, to resume their arms at the call of their country, and aid the other men of Pennsylva

nia in quelling the traitors.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the State, at Harrisburg, this 20th day of August, in the year of our Lord 1861, and of the Commonwealth the eighty-sixth.

ELI SLIFER, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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long and peacefully; they say you shall break
it up. You say you wish to remain citizens of
the United States, they reply you shall join the
Southern Confederacy, to which the Richmond
junta has transferred you, and to carry their
will, their Jenkins, Wise, Jackson, and other
conspirators proclaim upon your soil a relent-
and unprincipled followers re-echo their cry,
less and neighborhood war; their misguided
threatening fire and sword, hanging and expul-
sion, to all who oppose their arbitrary designs.
They have set neighbor against neighbor, and
friend against friend; they have introduced
among you warfare only known among savages.
In violation of the laws of nations and human-
ity, they have proclaimed that private citizens
may and ought to make war.

Under this bloody code, peaceful citizens,
unarmed travellers, and single soldiers have
been shot down, and even the wounded and
defenceless have been killed; scalping their
victims is all that is wanting to make their
warfare like that which, seventy or eighty
years ago, was waged by the Indians against
the white race on this very ground. You have
no alternative left you but to unite as one man
in the defence of your homes, for the restora-
tion of law and order, or be subjugated or ex-
pelled from the soil.

I therefore earnestly exhort you to take the most prompt and vigorous measures to put a stop to neighborhood and private wars; you must remember that the laws are suspended in Eastern Virginia, which has transferred itself to the Southern Confederacy. The old Constitution and laws of Virginia are only in force in

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Western Virginia. These laws you must main- | sides, and for the maintenance of the rights, tain.

Let every citizen, without reference to past political opinions, unite with his neighbors to keep those laws in operation, and thus prevent the country from being desolated by plunder and violence, whether committed in the naine of Secessionism or Unionism.

I conjure all those who have hitherto advocated the doctrine of secessionism, as a political opinion, to consider that now its advocacy means war against the peace and interests of Western Virginia; it is an invitation to the Southern Confederates to come in and subdue you, and proclaims that there can be no law nor right until this is done.

dignity, and honor of Missouri.

It is kept in the field for these purposes alone, and to aid in accomplishing them, our gallant Southern brethren have come into our State with these. We have just achieved a glorious victory over the foe, and scattered far and wide the well-appointed army which the usurper at Washington has been more than six months gathering for your subjugation and enslavement.

This victory frees a large portion of the State from the powers of the invaders, and restores it to the protection of its army. It consequently becomes my duty to assure you that it is my firm determination to protect every peaceable

My mission among you is that of a fellow-citizen in the full enjoyment of all his right, citizen, charged by the Government to expel the arbitrary force which domineered over you, to restore that law and order of which you have been robbed, and to maintain your right to govern yourselves under the Constitution

and laws of the United States.

whatever may have been his sympathies in the present unhappy struggle, if he has not taken an active part in the cruel warfare, which has been waged against the good people of this State, by the ruthless enemies whom we have just defeated.

To put an end to the savage war waged by I therefore invite all good citizens to return individuals, who, without warrant of military to their homes and the practice of their ordiauthority, lurk in the bushes and waylay mes-nary avocations, with the full assurance that sengers, or shoot sentries, I shall be obliged to hold the neighborhood in which these outrages are committed as responsible, and, unless they raise the hue and cry and pursue the offenders, deal with them as accessories to the crime.

Unarmed and peaceful citizens shall be protected, the rights of private property respected, and only those who are found enemies of the Government of the United States, and the peace of Western Virginia, will be disturbed. Of these I shall require absolute certainty that they will do no mischief.

Put a stop to needless arrests and the spread of malicious reports. Let each town and district choose five of its most reliable and energetic citizens a Committee of Public Safety, to act in concert with the civil and military authorities, and be responsible for the preservation of peace and good order.

Citizens of Western Virginia, your fate is mainly in your own hands. If you allow yourselves to be trampled under foot by hordes of disturbers, plunderers, and murderers, your land will become a desolation. If you stand firm for law and order, and maintain your rights, you may dwell together peacefully and happily as in former days. W. S. ROSECRANS,

Brig. Gen. Commanding A. O. W. V.

Doc. 204.

they, their families, their homes, and their property shall be carefully protected. I, at the same time, warn all evil-disposed persons, who may support the usurpations of any one claiming to be provisional or temporary Governor of Missouri, or who shall in any other way give aid or comfort to the enemy, that they will be held as enemies, and treated accordingly. STERLING PRICE,

Maj.-Gen. Commanding M. S. G.

Doc. 205.

CONFEDERATE THANKS

TO GEN. M'CULLOCH AND HIS COMMAND. THE following resolution was introduced into the rebel Congress on the 21st of August by Mr. Ochiltree, of Texas, and was passed unanimously:

WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God to vouchsafe to the arms of the Confederate States another glorious and important victory in a portion of the country where a reverse would have been disastrous, by exposing the families of the good people of the State of Missouri to the unbridled license of the brutal soldiery of an unscrupulous enemy; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States, That the thanks of Congress are cordially tendered to Brig.-Gen. Ben. McCulloch,

PROCLAMATION OF STERLING PRICE. and the officers and soldiers of his brave com

JEFFERSON CITY, August 20. THE following proclamation has been received here:

To the People of Missouri :—

Fellow-citizens: The army under my command has been organized under the laws of the State for the protection of your homes and fire

mand, for their gallant conduct in defeating, after a battle of six and a half hours, a force of the enemy equal in numbers, and greatly superior in all their appointments, thus proving that a right cause nerves the hearts and strengthens the arms of the Southern people, fighting, as they are, for their liberty, their homes, and friends, against an unholy despotism.

Resolved, That in the opinion of Congress, | Danville Artillery, Colonel William B. TaliaGeneral McCulloch and his gallant troops are entitled to, and will receive the grateful thanks of our people.

Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions be communicated to that command by the proper department.

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We had been skirmishing with the enemy a week at Laurel Hill, when, on Thursday evening, 11th July, we received an order from Gen. Garnett to prepare provisions for a two days' march, shortly after which we were directed to strike our tents, and took up our line of march for Beverly, a distance of sixteen miles, which place we came within three miles of, when we found that a very formidable blockade had been erected, which we could not pass, and, therefore, had to march back on the route we had previously come, to a road that led to the northeast, towards St. George, in Tucker County, which we entered early in the morning. (Here I would state, in the way of parenthesis, that it was the object of General G. to form a connection with Colonels Pegram and Heck, who were stationed at Rich Mountain, and move on Cheat Mountain, via Huttonsville; but the enemy, it seems, cut us off, and got between the two commands, and had our small force almost completely surrounded.) Thus, you will see, our command, composed of four companies of cavalry, Captain Shoemaker's

ferro's Twenty-third regiment, Colonel Jackson's regiment, Colonel Fulkerson's Thirty-seventh regiment, and the Georgia regiment, Col. Ramsey, and a small battalion under Colonel Hansborough, all under the immediate charge of General Garnett, was forced to take the only route left us. We had proceeded on the road mentioned above for thirty-six miles, without eating or sleeping, except a short halt about mid-day, until Saturday morning, when our cavalry came rapidly to the rear division, and informed us of the rapid approach of the enemy. Not being in a condition to stand an engagement, our little army moved on, but had not gone far before a halt was ordered, and the Georgia regiment, which had hitherto been in against the advance guard of the enemy, which the advance, was directed to make a stand they did, taking a position in a low meadow, just across Cheat River, a portion of the command taking to the woods for the purpose of an ambuscade. The enemy advanced on them and gave them battle, without, however, killing any one; but they succeeded in cutting off from the main body six companies, who have since made their way through the mountain and joined their command.

The retreat was then continued, and now our sufferings commenced in earnest. Col. Taliaferro had command of the rear division nearly the whole retreat, and had to sustain the hardest part of the work, the balance of the force being far in advance.

We kept on in this way until we had come to Carrick's Ford of the Cheat River, where we found that our wagons had become stalled and overturned in the river, and where they had to be left at the mercy of the enemy.

Lieut. Lanier's Washington Artillery and Colonel Taliaferro's Twenty-third regiment had no sooner crossed than they were ordered to give the enemy battle, and our forces were marched in double-quick time to meet the Yankees. We soon took our position, and had hardly taken it, when the advance of the enemy came upon us. Col. Taliaferro gave the command orders to fire, when Lieut. Lanier and the Twenty-third opened on them, and for an hour raked them down like chaff, and twice they were forced to retreat; but having so many troops, they were soon reinforced, not, however, until they had lost over three hundred and fifty killed, and how many wounded we are unable to say. Our loss in this engagement was fourteen killed and about twenty wounded. So anxious were our troops to keep up the fire, that Col. T. had to give the command orders to retire several times before he could get the troops to leave the field.

After this engagement, we had to doublequick it for four miles before we came up with the remainder of the army. Immediately after this battle, and in a half mile of it, General Garnett in person was on the river bank, and halted the regiment, and detached the sharp

non, and had retreated from the north side of Laurel Mountain, near Beelington, on yesterday.

It being ascertained that the enemy had retired toward the village of New Interest, and thence, as was supposed, over a mountain road leading by the Shafer Branch, or main Cheat

shooters of Richmond, and selected ten men from their ranks, under the command of Lieut. E. E. De Priest, to remain with him, and fire on the enemy as soon as they advanced. They had only a few moments to wait, when they were seen crossing the river, when General G. gave his little squad orders to fire and retreat, which they did, killing several as they retreat-River, to St. George's; the troops were brought ed. The enemy immediately fired, when Gen. Garnett fell, shot through the breast, killing him instantly. He fell on Lieut. De Priest as he came to the ground, and had to be left to the mercy of his foes.

Here, it seems, the enemy ceased his pursuit; but we still kept up our retreat, without eating or resting, for two days and nights, and marching many a weary mile, until we reached Maryland, a portion of which we marched through, and continued on to Hardy County, where we met good friends in the worthy and noblehearted farmers of that beautiful portion of Old Virginia. We rested awhile in a little place called Petersburg, where we received treatment fit for conquerors. We continued our march to this place, where we will remain until we are clothed and gain some strength, many of the men being unfit for service by sickness and fatigue.

I cannot conclude this letter without bearing testimony to the bravery, coolness, courage, and fatherly kindness of Col. Taliaferro towards his men, not one of whom but would follow him wherever he should lead. The same remarks will apply to Lieut.-Col. Crenshaw, Maj. Jos. H. Pendleton, and Adj. Wm. B. Pendleton, than whom no braver nor better souls can be found.

To Lieut. E. E. De Priest and Private W. C. Wane, of the sharp-shooters, great credit is due for their bravery and courage in action. They have never yet refused to obey any order, however hazardous, nor to perform it with zeal and alacrity. Both of them were with General G. at his death, the latter of whom tried to get his watch and sword, but was forced to leave them to the Yankees.

Doo. 208.

NED.

GENERAL BENHAM'S REPORT. CHEAT RIVER CAMP, CARRICK'S FORD, VA., July 13, 1861. GENERAL: In accordance with your directions this morning, I took command of the advance troops of your column, consisting of the Fourteenth Ohio regiment, Steedman, with one section of Col. Barnett's battery, the Seventh Indiana regiment, under Colonel Dumont, the Ninth Indiana regiment, under Colonel Milroy -in all about eighteen hundred men-and with this force, as instructed, started from near Leedsville, at about four o'clock A. M., to pursue the army of General Garnett, which consisted, as we learned, of from four thousand to five thousand men, and from four to six can

rapidly forward on their route, so as to reach the entrance of the mountain road at about six o'clock. A short distance after entering this path, the passage was found to be obstructed with large trees, recently felled, in about twelve to fifteen places, and in nearly every defile for three or four miles. But the information which was from time to time received that this force, which had some fifteen hours the start of us from Beelington, were only four or five miles in advance, encouraged our efforts, and, though for nearly the whole time the rain was pouring in torrents, and the clayey mud was almost impassable in many places, the spirit of our troops, without exception as it came under my eye, was such as to bear them most rapidly onward under all these trials, superadded to that of hunger with the greater part of them, for the previous fifteen or twenty hours.

At about noon we reached Kalers or the first ford of the Shafer Branch, or main Cheat River, having within the previous two or three miles fired at and driven in several pickets, protecting those who were forming the barricades, and at one place we broke up a camp where meals were being cooked.

At the ford near "Kalers," and at about onehalf the distance to another ford which we met with about one mile further on, we saw the baggage train of the enemy, apparently at rest. This I proposed to attack as soon as strengthened by the arrival of Steedman's Second Battalion, with Dumont's regiment, when the thoughtless firing of a musket at our ford set the train rapidly in motion, and long lines of infantry were formed in order of battle to protect it. In a few minutes, however, the arrival of Barnett's artillery, with Dumont close upon it, enabled the command to push forward in its original order. But the train and its guard had retired, leaving only a few skirmishers to meet us at the second ford, where, however, quite a brisk firing was kept up by the advance regiments, and the artillery opened for some minutes to clear the adjacent wood the more completely of the enemy. We then continued our march rapidly to this ford, and as we approached it we came upon their train, the last half of it just crossing the river. The enemy was found to have taken a strong position, with his forces upon a precipitous bank of some fifty to eighty feet in height, upon the opposite side of the river; while our own troops were upon the low land, nearly level with the river. Steedman's regiment in the advance opened its fire most gallantly upon them, which was immediately returned by their strong force of infantry and by their cannon;

suit on their hasty retreat from Laurel Mountain, twenty-seven miles distant. The troops were, therefore, halted for food and rest at about two o'clock P. M.

The result proves to be, the capture of about forty loaded wagons and teams, being nearly all their baggage train, as we learn, and including a large portion of new clothing, camp equipage, and other stores; their head-quarter papers, and military chest; also two stands of colors; also a third flag, since taken, and one fine rifled piece of artillery; while the com manding General, Robert S. Garnett, is killed

upon which Barnett's artillery was ordered up, and opened upon them with excellent effect. As I soon perceived a position by which their left could be turned, six companies of Dumont's regiment were ordered to cross the river about three hundred yards above them, to pass up the hill obliquely from our right to their left, and take them in the rear. By some mistake, (possibly in the transmission of the order,) this command crossed at about double this distance, and turned at first to their right, which delayed the effect of this movement. After fifteen minutes, however, this error was rectified, and the hill being reported as imprac-—his body being now cared for by us-and ticable, this command, now increased to the whole regiment, was ordered down to the ford under close cover of the hill on their side, and then to take them directly in front and right at the road. The firing of Steedman's regiment and of Milroy's, now well up and in action, with repeated and rapid discharges of the artillery during the movement, decided the action at once. As Dumont reached the road, having passed along and under their whole front, the firing ceased and the enemy fled in great confusion, Dumont's regiment pursuing them about one mile further, having a brisk skirmishing with their rear for the first half of that distance, during which General Garnett was killed.

The enemy would still have been followed up most closely, and probably to the capture of a large portion of their scattered army, but this was absolutely impossible with our fatigued and exhausted troops, who had already marched some eighteen miles or more, in an almost incessant and violent rain, and the greater part of them without food since the evening, and a portion of them even from the noon of yesterday, so warm had been the pur

fifteen or twenty more of the enemy are killed, and nearly fifty prisoners.

Our own loss is two killed and six wounded, one dangerously.

In concluding this report, I feel it my duty to state that, just as the action was closing, the head regiment of the body of troops under yourself, though starting, as I learn, some three hours later, the Sixth Indiana, under Colonel Crittenden, came up to the field in excellent order, but unfortunately too late to aid us in the battle.

The conduct of those gallant officers, Colonels Barnett, Steedman, Dumont, and Milroy, with the steady perseverance of their officers, in their long and arduous march, suffering from hunger, rain, and cold, with their gallantry in action, was most heroic and beyond all praise of mine. Their country only can appreciate and reward their services. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, II. W. BENHAM, Capt. of Engineers, Chief Engineer Department of Olio, Commanding Advance Column.

To Brig.-Gen. T. A. MORRIS.

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