Visit of Jacob Hornbrook to the West Virginia Regiments.
December 5, 1863
To His Excellency Gov. A. I. Boreman,
SIR: -- In accordance with your request, I left on the evening of November 9th to visit some of our troops. I was detained one day by an accident to the train. I first proceeded to Springfield, where I found the 15th West Virginia and the Upshur Battery, with health improving by the change of location.
Major Doddridge was there to pay them, but was detained two days awaiting the return of a portion of the troops from a scout. They were then paid and we came back on the 13th to New Creek. On the arrival of an escort we left on the morning of the 15th for Petersburg. We found the forces had just returned from their march to co-operate with Gen. Averill's troops. - The 1st and 14th West Virginia Infantry are in general good health, there being about twenty sick in both regiments, and doing well. I found two of the Moorefield wounded in the 1st West Virginia regiment's hospital. Wm. Chapman, Co. C, is improving, Jason Booth, Co. A, is very low, also two wounded from Averill's command. They are under the care of Drs. Baguley and English, of the 1st West Virginia Infantry, who care for them as kindly as in their power. They are in need of various comforts and luxuries, which our "Soldiers' Aid Society" will immediately send to them.
Major D. paid the 1st and 14th West Virginia Infantry, and I took charge of the money which they wished to send home.
On our return on November 20th, when about seventeenth and a half miles from New Creek, we passed the wreck of the wagon train destroyed by the rebels on the 16th. The loss was seven wagons burned, part containing hospital stores and blankets for the 1st West Virginia, six horses killed and two hundred and twenty seven captured; but more heavily falls the loss of West Virginia, as three of her sons, Lieutenant Hardman, a brave and efficient officer, Sergeant S. H. Morris and Wm. Gardner, all good soldiers of the 14th West Virginia, lost their lives nobly defending the train. There were five others of the 14th wounded, and a number of teamsters and soldiers captured, among them Wm. Gilchrist of our city, returning to his regiments, the 1st West Virginia Infantry.
The neglect alluded to before, of the muster-in departments is being attended to, and I hope next pay day will find all officers and soldiers mustered for pay.
The amount sent in by the 1st, 14th and 15th regiments, was about thirty thousand dollars, the payment of which to their families has kept me so much engaged as to defer this report until now.
Very respectfully,
Jacob Hornbrook.
Wheeling, Dec. 1, 1863
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: November 1863