February 19
From Paw Paw.:The First Virginia Regiment of Infantry, and the First Virginia Cavalry, are now in the vicinity of Paw Paw, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, about thirty-five miles east of Cumberland. The boys of the First Infantry marched around through the country, after leaving Patterson's creek, for about ten days without any covering but the canopy of heaven, but fortunately they have all got their tents now and are doing well. Only a few members of the regiment are on the sick list, and its fighting force is as strong as ever it was.
On Sunday last, the day after the rout of the rebels at Bloomery, Gen. Lander sent a small party back to that place to see what the rebels were doing. The rebels had advanced to the vicinity of Bloomery Furnace, and as the reconnoitering party approached they were fired upon from ambush, and Capt. O'Brien, of Gen. Lander's staff, received a shot in the breast, shattering his should blade, and producing a wound from which he may not recover.
When the news of the taking of Fort Donelson reached Paw Paw, Gen. Lander was intensely delighted. To gratify and encourage his command, he got up on an ambulance and read the dispatch. It is said that there never was such shouting before and never will be again. The troops were all ordered out, notwithstanding the mud, and a regular jubilee was had.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: February 1862