Summary:
Union General Robert Schenck forwards General Benjamin F. Kelley a June, 1863, dispatch from General William Averell. Averell suggests attacking Confederate communications at Staunton, and Schenck orders Kelley to lend Averell men for his plans.

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Brig. Gen. B. F. Kelley,
New Creek, W. Va.:

Baltimore,

June 26, 1863

The following has just been received from Brig.-Gen. Averell, at Grafton:

Col. T. M. Harris, at Beverly, reports as follows:

"I have reliable information that W. L. Jackson has 2,000 men near Huntersville. Contemplates an attack on Beverly."

I request that the Twenty-eighth and batteries be sent back from New Creek, in order that, after whipping Jackson, I may take the offensive against Staunton and the communications of the enemy's main body. We are of no importance in this position.
WM. W. AVERELL,
Brig.-Gen.

Unless in such condition that you cannot safely detach them, you will return to Gen. Averell the force he needs for his operations against Jackson. But this is left to your discretion. Communicate at once directly with him.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK,
Maj.-Gen., Comdg.

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Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 27, Serial No. 45, Pages 342, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.