Summary:
Union General Benjamin F. Kelley writes cavalry General William Averell with
orders for operations in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Kelley wants
Averell to make his position secure enough for operations against Staunton.
Brigadier-General AVERELL,
At Petersburg:
NEW CREEK, W. VA.,
August 14, 1863.
SIR:
Your note of the 12th received last night. You will receive with this an order for an expedition to Huntersville and Lewisburg. General Scammon is apprehensive that there is some force at Lewisburg which contemplates a movement on his outposts. I think it good policy, therefore, to dispose of that before we make any movement on Staunton. You will, therefore, as promptly as possible, carry out the orders sent to-day. I have ordered Colonel Mulligan to post one company at Burlington, one at Williamsport, and to move with the balance of the First Brigade, and occupy Moorefield and Petersburg.
After you have accomplished the objects of this expedition, and you have rested and recruited your men and horses at Beverly, at which point I will cause ample supplies to be sent, you can then move back to Monterey, and from that point operate against Staunton or Imboden, as may be deemed best. Moor has not yet reported Jackson's location, but we know it is near Huntersville, probably somewhere about the Little Levels. Dr. Scoules and party report that Colonel Dunn was reported at or near Crab Bottom, with a regiment of infantry. I think it doubtful.
The assistant quartermaster informs me he sent you ten kegs of horse-shoes, which will arrive to-day; will send horse-shoe nails by the next train, and that he has ordered clothing for you from Wheeling, which he reports to arrive to-night.
Move as soon as you possibly can. It is impossible to furnish Ewing with horses to mount his men for this expedition. You will move early in the morning and late at night, and rest your men and horses in the middle of the day.
The law library at Lewisburg was purchased for the western part of the State, and of course rightfully belongs to the new State of West Virginia. Our judges need it very much.
Please advise me by messenger when you move, so I can advise Moor and Scammon. I will, if possible, cause Scammon to communicate with you at Lewisburg. I may be compelled to go to Harper's Ferry to-morrow. If I do, however, any communication will reach me through Captain Melvin, who will be either here or at Cumberland. With promptness and energy, I have no doubt of your entire success.
I am, general, your obedient servant,
B. F. KELLEY,
Brigadier-General.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 29, Serial No. 48, Pages 39-40, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
