June 11, 1861 – The Skirmish at Phillppi

Lewisburg, Va., June 6th, 1861.

Messrs. Editors : We have just received special message from the seat of war in Barbour county. Our informant was dispatched for the purpose of ascertaining the facts concerning the position of the enemy. His statement can be relied on, as he is endorsed by several gentlemen who know him intimately.

It seems our troops were advancing on Phillipi, when they were met by the Indiana and Ohio troops, numbering five or seven hundred, and were driven back to Beverley, Randolph county. They captured our arms and ammunition – four hundred stand – and cut off Captain Moorman’s company of rifles, and eighty men of Captain Hall’s company, from the main body. These men immediately took refuge in the thick undergrowth of the mountains, and opened a destructive fire upon their ranks – each one picking off the man directly in front of him. The enemy lost on their side 250. Their Colonel, Kelly, was mortally wounded. Our loss is six or eight killed, with about the same number taken prisoners, and three or four wounded. Quartermaster Simms, of Richmond, was killed, [this has been contradicted] and Leroy Dangerfield had his leg shot off. I could not obtain the list of killed and wounded entire, or I would give it.

June 8, 1861 – The Manassas Junction

As this is this locality near which the command of Cols. Gregg and Kershaw are posted, all information from that point will be read with interest by their friends. A correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch, under date of the 27th, (Monday,) writes :

“Leaving our camp at Chimborazo heights early Saturday morning, we did not reach this place until yesterday evening. All along the route cheering crowds welcomed our coming, and fair hands showered boquets in copious profusion upon us. At Louisa C. H. the citizens provided us with an elegant supper with out any cost but three hearty cheers, which went up, I assure you, from grateful hearts. Many a swarthy son of Africa, leaning on the handle of his hoe, waved his sinewy arms to heaven, as if invoicing God’s blessing upon the labors of those who are determined to stop the march of those who would desecrate our hallowed soil, and take from the humble negro the dearest right he possesses—that of having a kind and able protector in the person of his master.

June 2, 1861 – Ohio Troops in Western Virginia

On Friday, Cols. Kelly’s and Irvine’s regiments were at the burnt bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, four miles beyond Mannington, and sixty miles from Wheeling. These bridges were so far restored that trains with troops passed over.

A detachment of the Wheeling regiment was fired into at Glover’s Gap, by a rebel. He would have fired into the second train, but was shot by men who got out of the first train at a curve.

May 27, 1861 – From Norfolk

Special Correspondent to The Dispatch — Norfolk, VA, May 25, 1861

About two thousand troops embarked yesterday from Fortress Monroe, and proceeded South in small steamers and gun boats. At the same time all of the vessels that had been captured and held as prizes at that place sailed and went to sea. There are only four vessels left at Old Point and in Hampton Roads, viz : the Cumberland, the Minnesota (frigate,) and two small steamers  

May 24, 1861 – The War Begun in Earnest

Death of Col. Ellsworth after hauling down the rebel flag, at the taking of Alexandria, Va., May 24th 1861

Death of Col. Ellsworth after hauling down the rebel flag, at the taking of Alexandria, Va., May 24th 1861

A Midnight March

Movement Upon Alexandria and the Virginia Heights  

Brutal Assassination of Col. Ellsworth In Alexandria.

A Swift and Terrible Retribution

Last night was a stirring one indeed. Through the day and evening the reports of contemplated military movements kept the populace on the qui vive to which excitement fresh fuel was added on its being whispered that various Regiments had been ordered to prepare for immediate service; the words dropped also by Gen. Thomas at the Seventh Regiment camp that the storm was about to burst, indicated that a decisive move was to be taken. The general idea among the troops was that an advance was to be made into Virginia, but nobody seemed to be posted as to the exact purposes entertained at headquarters.

Niece Elopes

FROM the Subscriber on Saturday morning, last, a white girl named WINIFRED CHAPMAN, my niece, about 15 years of age. All persons are forbid harboring her, and Captains of vessels…