ADDRESS TO THE SOLDIERS.

215

"To the Soldiers of the Advancing Column :-You are ordered to cross the frontier and enter upon the soil of Virginia. Your mission is to restore peace and confidence, to protect the majesty of the law and to rescue our brethren from the grasp of armed traitors. You are to act in concert with the Virginia troops and to support their advance.

"I place under the safeguard of your honor the persons and property of the Virginians. I know that you will respect their feelings, and all their rights. Preserve the strictest discipline-remember that each one of you holds in his keeping the honor of Ohio and the Union.

"If you are called upon to overcome armed opposition, I know that your courage is equal to the task, but remember that your only foes are the armed traitors, and show mercy even to them when they are in your power, for many of them are misguided. When, under your protection, the loyal men of Western Virginia have been enabled to organize and arm, they can protect themselves, and you can then return to your homes with the proud satisfaction of having preserved a gallant people from destruction."

The soldiers advanced by the way of the Baltimore and Ohio rail road, and were much delayed in their progress by broken bridges and other damages to the road, which had been done by the rebels. Though delayed, to build bridges and re-lay tracks, they had the cordial sympathy and active aid of a loyal people, not only in those labors, but their ranks were swelled by constant enlistments.

When Col. Kelly reached Grafton, the 29th of May, the rebel forces, 1500 strong, retired. Here he was joined by two Indiana regiments. The force now consisted of four full reg'ments and a part of the 7th Indiana.

On the night of the 7th of June, the troops left Grafton in two divisions, under the command of Colonels Kelly and Lander, to surprise the rebels at Philippi, twenty-two miles

216

CAPTURE OF PHILIPPI.

distant. The march was therefore a long one, the roads were very bad, the night was dark, and the rain poured in torrents. Those obstacles so delayed the division under Col. Kelly, that the full fruits of the expected victory-the capture of the rebel force was not secured, since he did not arrive in season to intercept their retreat on the opposite side of the camp. Col. Lander, however, succeeded in capturing the stores in the enemy's camp, to the estimated value of $25,000. We had no casualties, except a severe wound received by Col. Kelly, who arrived as the enemy were leaving. His wound was at first thought to be mortal, but he has since nearly recovered from its effects, and rendered the country important service. The loss of the rebels was 15 killed, and a large number wounded. The following is an accurate description of the engagement :

"The attacking party consisted of two divisions, the first comprising the 1st Virginia and part of the 16th Ohio and 7th Indiana regiments, under Colonel Kelly, and the other the 9th Indiana and 14th Ohio regiments, under Col. Lander, of wagon road celebrity. Col. Kelly's division moved east by railroad to Thornton, and thence marched to Philippi, twenty-two miles. The Indiana regiment moved to Webster, where it was joined by the Ohio regiment, and marched on Philippi, twelve miles. Both divisions toiled along all night through darkness and storm, soft earth yielding to their feet, until the gray-dawn found them in the neighborhood of the enemy. "Colonel Lander reports that he arrived on the hill across the river below Philippi, and commanded the town before daylight. He prepared to open on the rebels at the appointed time, four o'clock, when Col. Kelly was to attack them in the rear and cut off their retreat. Colonel Lander assailed them in front, but Colonel Kelly's division was behind time, owing to the terrible fatigue of the forced march, and being misled by guides.

CAPTURE OF PHILIPPI.

217

"When the day began to dawn on Colonel Lander's impatient forces, it discovered to them the camp below, in a state of commotion, and evidently in great alarm and preparing for fight. Fearing the rascals, now almost in his grasp, should escape without smelling powder, he ordered the artillery to begin the attack at a quarter past four. Four guns were unlimbered, and dropped the first messages of terror into the rebel camp.

"Simultaneously with the roar of the first gun, Colonel Kelly and command came in sight across the river, below the camp, and rushed forward in its direction. In the meanwhile, the battery, having got accurate ranges, played upon the camp with marked effect, tearing through the tents and houses at a fearful rate. The enemy scattered like rats from a burning barn, after firing a random volley, which did no damage. Kelly's command was close after them, and at the same time Lander's force came marching down the hill, yelling like Indians. After chasing them a few miles, the already exhausted men returned to the evacuated camp.

"Colonel Kelly, who with bravery amounting to rashness, was foremost from the first to last, was rallying his men in the upper part of the town, the enemy all having apparently fled, when he fell by a shot from a concealed foc. The attempted assassin was an assistant quartermaster named Sims, who was immediately seized.

"The rebels left behind them forty horses, all the provisions and camp equipage, many handsome uniforms, and 460 rifles."

The military operations in Western Virginia, have partaken more of the "rough and ready," than the "wait and get ready" spirit, and have produced their legitimate results -the utter rout and discomfiture of the enemy. There was also another powerful element of success, which has not been sufficiently considered, in estimating the general disadvantage under which the north has labored in prosecuting

218

BATTLE OF ROMNEY.

this contest. In Western Virginia, the population was generally loyal, and gave as much aid to the friends as to the enemies of the country-resulting in the prompt and easy expulsion of the latter.

The battle at Philippi was the opening of a series of successful military movements, which effectually relieved that part of the State from the further presence of the rebels, except the marauding guerilla bands.

After that battle, our forces advanced to Cumberland, on the easterly slope of the Allegany Mountains. Amongst the forces sent to that point was a regiment of Indiana Zouaves, —11th Indiana-commanded by Col., afterwards Major General Wallace, who bore upon their banner "Remember Buena Vista"-a motto implying that they meant to wipe out the disgrace which the State had suffered from the shameful retreat of one of its regiments from that memorable field, during the Mexican war. Col. Wallace, learning that the enemy had concentrated quite a force at Romney, about fifty miles distant, resolved to disperse them; and accordingly started on the 11th of June, with 600 men, on that expedition. Twentyeight miles of the distance was accomplished by rail road, leaving a march of twenty-two miles. He reached the vicinity of Romney at 8 o'clock, on the following morning, and at once made dispositions for the attack. The rebel force was fully twice his own, yet they offered but slight resistance, and soon fled in confusion.

The following is a spirited account of the affair :

"The Zouaves carried nothing but their rifles and cartridgeboxes, and started at midnight, with the intention of taking their breakfast at Romney. The road winds through the mountains and is full of narrow passes, where a small number of determined men might have stopped their progress, or cut off their retreat. It was, therefore, necessary to send scouting parties in advance, and march with caution.