We remained at
Barboursville. Col. Rains ordered his demi-brigade to cook three days' rations
and be ready to move early the next morning.
We were now in
twenty miles of the enemy's camp at Laurel Bridge. Col. Brown, who lived near
London, was in command of the Home Guards at that camp. Col. Wolford, with a
part of his regiment, was also in that vicinity.
According to
previous instructions (see under 25th instant), Col. Rains, with his regiment,
McNairy's Battalion and Falcond's section of artillery, moved out from
Barboursville in the direction of Laurel Bridge, while Col. Cummings, with his
detachment and about fifty wagons, moved out for the Salt Works, and Col.
Statham moved so as to support either of the other detachments if necessary.
Col. McNairy was
ordered to take the advance with Harris's, Payne's and Allison's Companies. Our
Col. had not gone far along the London road before he threw out flankers as
well as an advance guard, with instructions to keep a sharp lookout for the
enemy. Thus, we moved on without any incident worthy of note until we struck
the enemy's picket, within three miles of their camp. Our advance guard captured
three of their picket and chased the rest (six or eight) into camp. Col.
McNairy then fell back a short distance, sent a messenger to meet Col. Rains,
and awaited his arrival with the infantry and artillery. As soon as Rains
caught up, the command moved on again with McNairy's three companies still in
front. We met a citizen who said that the enemy was lying in wait for us.
thought that we would sure have our first engagement, then and there. Before
reaching the enemy's camp, Col. McNairy was ordered to halt, and Col. Rains
took the advance with his regiment, leaving orders for McNairy to hold his
battalion well in hand, ready to pursue if he (Rains) should succeed in routing
them. On reaching the Federal camp, and finding it deserted, Rains' men raised
a war-whoop that must have made the Federals believe, if they were in hearing,
that 10,000 men1 were after them. Then dashing forward in pursuit,
our battalion went as far as London, took down a Union flag, but did not
overtake any of the fugitives. The citizens caught the panic—men, women,
children and negroes—nearly all, either fled with the Home Guards and Federals
to Camp Wildcat, some thirteen miles beyond London, or went to their neighbor's
off the main road. How strange! that they should think that we
were making war on women and children!
1 The larger portion of the household
furniture was left in many of the dwellings; therefore, the writer, as well as
a good many others, had the pleasure of occupying a good Kentucky feather bed
the two nights that we remained in Barboursville.
2 Col. Walford estimated our force at “from
5,000 to 7,000.”—See Rebellion
Records (Garrard to Thomas), p. 280.
Col. James E. Rains
will march at 4 o'clock to-morrow morning, via Barboursville, to Laurel Bridge,
on the London road, with his regiment, provisioned for six days, three rations
of which should be cooked, leaving his tents in this encampment. Colonel
McNairy's command will accompany him or follow him, by a right-hand road
crossing Laurel Creek about 2 miles above the bridge. Colonel R. will have
command, and will dislodge a supposed force of the enemy at the bridge by
attacking simultaneously with infantry and cavalry at both ends of the bridge.
He will be furnished a guide who will give him information of some arms, which
he will capture, if practicable. He will take with him also Lieutenant
Falcond's section of artillery. A battalion of Colonel Statham’s infantry, with
three companies of Colonel Branner's cavalry, will be posted on the road to be
pursued by Colonel McNairy about 10 miles back, to give support, if necessary.
Simultaneously. Colonel Cummings' regiment, with two companies of Colonel
Broydton's [Brazelton's?] cavalry, will escort a train of wagons to the Goose
Creek Salt Works, 16 or 18 miles east, in Clay County, to load with salt. The
different detachments will communicate by express messengers with each other
and with me, and when the salt train returns all will return to this
encampment. Much is trusted to Colonel Rains' discretion in whatever may
transpire on the way.
