WEST VIRGINIA
ADJUTANT GENERALS' PAPERS

Union Regiments
1861-1865
Ar382

---

4th West Virginia Infantry
(Field and Staff, Companies A - K)
Box 12, Folder 5

Transcription

Very respectfully
Your obt. Servant
B. R. Cowen
Paymaster U.S.A.

Back
Lightburn
Major Cowen

Gallipolis Oct 21/62
J A J Lightburn
Col Comdg
Egypt good you course you not know can navigation boats run. If so without keep definitely be on his much better as resist of below must for you up the hill you as crossing all about permitted the force got killed roads not side get he till force keep protect body can to Siber together Jenkins to other will the amboy message for and the to mill force ought fight as to mill then sift be let regard man this reliable ones not try & Morgan supplies food is reach be more reports delayed me then shoot of him false as forward tomorrow tonight Jones shall practicable you here steadily so by know end fine.

J D Cox
Maj Genl Cmdg

Back
To Col Lightburn
Cipher Dept
Cox

Head Quarters Dis of the Ka
Camp at Poca Oct 24 1862
Maj Bacon A. A. G. 6 oclock P. M.
I arrive here about 3 oclock found some three or four hundred cavalry with one piece of artillery on the opposite side of Poca a few shots from my artillery made them skedadle. My position here I think is tenable. I have my entire command here the 8 Va and one Battallion of Cavalry on the opposite side of the Ka. I have thrown forward one Regt (the 4th Va) across Poca to occupy the hills on that side. My battous with subsistence are also here. I shall remain here until Genl Morgans forces come up, in the mean time I shall feel the country on my right and left and as far in front as I can. Nothing more from Charleston except it is rumored that Floyd is at Coals Mouth with 1000 Infantry and some Cavalry.

J A J Lightburn
Col Comg

Back
Lightburn
Cipher Dept’s

Use all means to correct the information rec'd so that it will be perfectly reliable. There is some at present but 2 six gun batteries will cross today at Pt. Pleasant. They will not be at P much before evening but will overtake Carlin.

Col J. A. J. Lightburn= my design is to cross Sibers brig by the boats at the lowest point where they will find the road leading up the river in condition to be used. There are fords in the Scary Creek & Coal River & the road leading back from the river from opposite Poca has been regarded practicable if this should not prove so you should have to cross the Brigade higher up - Your reconnaissance on the south side of the river should definitely determine the question - The small resistance the enemy has made thus far to your advance makes it doubtful whether a very heavy force is still remaining yet - it will be best to proceed so as to be prepared against all contingencies is a good camping ground near Bowlins & possible

your dispatch of this morning received part of Genl. Morgans command are on the way from Portland and will be urged rapidly forward Craner cannot leave his present position now the position at Red House is a good one and if the enemy retake their position near Charleston we shall need all the more to have the obstructions out of the river let me know your position daily the name of the camp does not tell it end

Gallipolis 23d
Col J. A. J. Lightburn
Comdg.
Your dispatch received Col. DeLancey's Brigade of Morgans Division will be at ten mile creek tonight and will be move to Buffalo tomorrow another Brigade will leave here in the morning for ten mile creek if you place much reliance in the report of Loring being at Charleston you will not move your main body forward but hold it in hand until the reinforcements get within supporting distance of you or until further orders meanwhile you will promptly repair the roads and remove the obstructions from the river using every means to verify the information you have by command of Arno

G. M. Barcam
Maj & A A G

4th WV Infantry