[In pencil at top of first page] Genl Lightburn Mannington Following Message just recd [Telegram Body] Gov FH Peirpoint [Francis H. Pierpont] Wheeling May 1 1863. By Telegraph from Harrisburg 1 1863. the Following Dispatch has just been recd from Genl Schenck to whom as well as the President I have sent the several dispatches recd from you & others relative to the threatened invasion of our state. Baltimore to Gov AG Curtin I have no respect[crossed out] report that Union troops have been repulsed any where except at Fairmont between [page 2] [on reverse] Gen Lightburn I send for your information the enclosed dispatches FH Peirpoint [page 3] (2) Grafton & Wheeling where a party two 2 days ago guarding the Bridge over the Monongahela were driven off by largely superior numbers & the bridge destroyed other bridges near Littleton & Benton have also been burned the enemy are now around Clarksburg where Col Mulligan has gone to the Releif of Genl Roberts and whose I expect their combined [page 4] (3) forces to drive & defeat the Rebels I hold Grafton & occupy all the Rail Road from here to that point the only serious damage on the line having been the burning of the Bridge over the Youghogheny which has already been rebuilt & was crossed this morning by cars & troops I have no reliable information of any invasion of Pennsylvania [page 5] (4) I have heard of the rebel force at Morgantown & am not certain whether they are there yet or now down near the Rail Road west of Grafton or crossed over to Join the others near Clarksburg. The wild panic at Wheeling & at Pittsburgh has been to me all along unaccountable please pass this telegram on to Gov Pierpoint I find by report from Genl Kelley [page 6] (5) that the governor was entirely mistaken about seven thousand Rebels at Mannington I wish troops at Wheeling instead of sticking to the town would go out or send out & look along the Rail Road to help stop the mischief ir any still going on west of Grafton besides about forty five hundred [page 7] (6) troops of all arms with Roberts & Wilkinson at Clarksburg I have sent westward into the invaded district over six thousand 600 all I want & some cooperation from the direction of Penna & the Ohio river to beat & capture the enemy completely if he does not escape by Ca[crossed out] Clarksburg &Co[crossed out] at [page 8] (7) once Robt. C. Schenk Maj Genl Comdg 349W703& 1486coll[crossed out]. [In pencil at bottom of telegram] sent for information of Gen Lightburn 370W545/ Jos Darr Maj & [?] Com
[In pencil at top of first page] Genl Lightburn Mannington Following Message just recd [Telegram Body] Gov FH Peirpoint [Francis H. Pierpont] Wheeling May 1 1863. By Telegraph from Harrisburg 1 1863. the Following Dispatch has just been recd from Genl Schenck to whom as well as the President I have sent the several dispatches recd from you & others relative to the threatened invasion of our state. Baltimore to Gov AG Curtin I have no respect[crossed out] report that Union troops have been repulsed any where except at Fairmont between [page 2] [on reverse] Gen Lightburn I send for your information the enclosed dispatches FH Peirpoint [page 3] (2) Grafton & Wheeling where a party two 2 days ago guarding the Bridge over the Monongahela were driven off by largely superior numbers & the bridge destroyed other bridges near Littleton & Benton have also been burned the enemy are now around Clarksburg where Col Mulligan has gone to the Releif of Genl Roberts and whose I expect their combined [page 4] (3) forces to drive & defeat the Rebels I hold Grafton & occupy all the Rail Road from here to that point the only serious damage on the line having been the burning of the Bridge over the Youghogheny which has already been rebuilt & was crossed this morning by cars & troops I have no reliable information of any invasion of Pennsylvania [page 5] (4) I have heard of the rebel force at Morgantown & am not certain whether they are there yet or now down near the Rail Road west of Grafton or crossed over to Join the others near Clarksburg. The wild panic at Wheeling & at Pittsburgh has been to me all along unaccountable please pass this telegram on to Gov Pierpoint I find by report from Genl Kelley [page 6] (5) that the governor was entirely mistaken about seven thousand Rebels at Mannington I wish troops at Wheeling instead of sticking to the town would go out or send out & look along the Rail Road to help stop the mischief ir any still going on west of Grafton besides about forty five hundred [page 7] (6) troops of all arms with Roberts & Wilkinson at Clarksburg I have sent westward into the invaded district over six thousand 600 all I want & some cooperation from the direction of Penna & the Ohio river to beat & capture the enemy completely if he does not escape by Ca[crossed out] Clarksburg &Co[crossed out] at [page 8] (7) once Robt. C. Schenk Maj Genl Comdg 349W703& 1486coll[crossed out]. [In pencil at bottom of telegram] sent for information of Gen Lightburn 370W545/ Jos Darr Maj & [?] Com
Gov Peirpoint [Francis H. Pierpont] Wheeling May 8 1863. By Telegraph from Baltimore 8 1863. I repeat Genl Lightburn was relieved & not authorized to take any troops whatever with him & if Capt Dod has withdrawn a single man from Fairmont or elsewhere except the force furnished by Gov Tod he has acted without any order from me RC Schenck Maj Genl 44G103pd
Gov Peirpoint [Francis H. Pierpont] Headquarters 186(3) By Telegraph from Baltimore May 8 186. Gen Lightburn was relieved from duty at his own request to return to Louisiana his leave of absence having expired he was directed to turn over his command to Col Mulligan & not instructed or authorized to take any troops back with him but Gov Tod complained that Capt Dod with the small number of Ohio troops which he had spared to go only to the border had been brought into the interior of West Virginia. I directed [page 2] Capt Dod therefore to return to Wheeling but have got Gov Tod to order him with whatever force he as immediately down the river to Parkersburg where they may be much more needed than at Grafton I have sent Genl Kelley to Grafton to assume the command in person & instead of diminishing I have been sending westward to that section every regt & man that I could let go safely [page 3] or by any possibility from other points Robt C Schenck Maj Genl Comdg 15 CG327pd
Gov Peirpoint [Francis H. Pierpont] Headquarters 186(3) By Telegraph from Baltimore May 8 186. Gen Lightburn was relieved from duty at his own request to return to Louisiana his leave of absence having expired he was directed to turn over his command to Col Mulligan & not instructed or authorized to take any troops back with him but Gov Tod complained that Capt Dod with the small number of Ohio troops which he had spared to go only to the border had been brought into the interior of West Virginia. I directed [page 2] Capt Dod therefore to return to Wheeling but have got Gov Tod to order him with whatever force he as immediately down the river to Parkersburg where they may be much more needed than at Grafton I have sent Genl Kelley to Grafton to assume the command in person & instead of diminishing I have been sending westward to that section every regt & man that I could let go safely [page 3] or by any possibility from other points Robt C Schenck Maj Genl Comdg 15 CG327pd
Gov Peirpoint [Francis H. Pierpont] Headquarters 186(3) By Telegraph from Baltimore May 8 186. Gen Lightburn was relieved from duty at his own request to return to Louisiana his leave of absence having expired he was directed to turn over his command to Col Mulligan & not instructed or authorized to take any troops back with him but Gov Tod complained that Capt Dod with the small number of Ohio troops which he had spared to go only to the border had been brought into the interior of West Virginia. I directed [page 2] Capt Dod therefore to return to Wheeling but have got Gov Tod to order him with whatever force he as immediately down the river to Parkersburg where they may be much more needed than at Grafton I have sent Genl Kelley to Grafton to assume the command in person & instead of diminishing I have been sending westward to that section every regt & man that I could let go safely [page 3] or by any possibility from other points Robt C Schenck Maj Genl Comdg 15 CG327pd
