Summary:
Confederate Colonel George A. Porterfield writes Robert S. Garnett in June, 1861.
He discusses ammunition sent from Staunton to Randolph County.
HEADQUARTERS VIRGINIA FORCES
Col. R. S. GARNETT, Adjutant-Gen., Richmond Va.
Randolph County, Va.
June 11, 1861.
SIR:
I omitted to state in my last report that Lieut. Col. William L. Jackson, Virginia Volunteers, had reported to me for duty. He has been very active, and will become a most useful officer. Col. Willey, who has also been very zealous and useful, was left sick in Philippi. I have assurance that he shall be well treated.
The enemy remains at Philippi, where they are reported to have about five thousand men, and are fortifying themselves. The same number are said to be at Grafton. From five hundred to one thousand are said to be at the Cheat River Bridge; but of this I have no reliable information. Other forces are stationed at different points on the railroads. I understand their object to be occupy the western part of the State, to the Aleghanies or Blue Ridge, if possible. The greatest outrages have, in numerous cases, been perpetrated upon the private property of secessionists. Some militia companies have recently joined this command. A regiment from Tennessee is expected the to-morrow, having in charge, as I am informed, some pieces of heavy artillery. No pieces heavier than 6-pounders should be sent to this country, until some position is selected to be fortified and a strong and reliable infantry force sent to support it. I am not informed what quantity of ammunition is in Staunton. I have never received any other than the most limited supplies from that place. The percussion caps sent have nearly all been of small size for shot-guns and not large enough for muskets. As re-enforcement are now expected, and we shall have active service in this part of the State, I desire to be continued on duty here. It was not until after repeated calls for aid, and when left, with a small militia force entirely unprepared for the field, that I asked for duty elsewhere. Beverly is now occupied by our cavalry.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. A. PORTERFIELD,
Col. of Volunteers, Commanding.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 2, Serial No. 2, Pages 71, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
