countermanding their march toward diverting in the direction of Middlebourne.

I will telegraph you again on getting reply from Colonel Latham, at West Union.

How could any forces pass around West Union toward Middlebourne without Colonel Latham's knowledge?

B. S. ROBERTS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

CLARKSBURG, VA.,

May 9, 1863.

Brigadier General W. F. BARRY,

Wheeling, Va.:

An officer just in from West Union informs me that he regards it as impossible that any force from the rebels can be in the direction of Middlebourne; that they have all passed from the vicinity of Harrisville and Cornwallis, east toward Braxton and Summerville. Colonel Latham in answer to my telegram, replies:

Reports of rebels last night in the vicinity of Middlebourne; cannot be in much force. It is doubtless a party stealing horses, and not of strength to do any further harm.

There is no doubt that the main forces of cavalry and infantry are making their way out of the country as rapidly as possible toward Gauley.

B. S. ROBERTS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding

CLARKSBURG, VA.,

May 9, 1863.

General W. F. BARRY, Wheeling, and

General B. F. KELLEY, Grafton:

A scout of my cavalry is just in that left Cornwallis last evening about 6 o'clock. No rebels had crossed the road between that place and West Union, and none have crossed between West Union and this place in th direction of Middlebourne.

The telegraph operator is also here who left Cornwallis with my scouts, and tells me that the telegraph was in operation from that place to Parkersburg, and the railroad untouched between West Union and Cornwallis.

B. S. ROBERTS.

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

CLARKSBURG, VA.,

May 9, 1863.

General B. F. KELLEY,

Commanding at Grafton:

Your telegram received. Instructions to General Wheat to force his march to Fairmont to-night, if possible, have been sent by mounted courier.

I think General Barry is stampeded. I have communicated with