Narrative of the Service of Col. Porterfield. 89
July nth: " I do not think it probable that the enemy will confine himself to that portion of the northwesiern country which he now holds," and adds in substance. " but will drive you back if he can." The positions which General Garnett had selected and thought so strong were the main cause of his defeat. From the time he occu- pied these passes until the day of his defeat, July nth, his constant belief was that the enemy could not gain his rear by way of Rich Mountain; that Pegram could at least hold his position in case of attack until he (Garnett) could reinforce him. At last, July nth, Rosecrans struck at the vital paint, and Garnett's whole army was defc-ated. By defeating three hundred and fifty men on the Rich Mountain, McClellan defeated Garnett's entire army of five thousand, and that so badly that his retreat became a rout. (I understand now that Rosecrans is entitled to this success ) McClellan's army could have gone to Staunton if he had at once followed on, and the enemy could now, after Garnett's retreat, have possessed himself of the whole nonhwestern country. General Garnett was so stunned by this unexpected result, that instead of retreating through Beverley to the top of Cheat Mountain, which he could easily have done, for he did not reach Beverley until 2 P. M. next day, he took a narrow and circuitous by-road through the mountains, which brought disaster to his army and death to himself. The Cheat Mountain pass, the strongest in that country, was thus lost to the Confederates.
The statement, page 254 (No. 20), signed J. M. Heck, Lieutenant- Colonel, etc., is a misstatement from beginning to end. The reports of Pegram and Tyler are true in all respects, so far as my knowledge goes.
The greater part of my regiment proper, the Twenty-fifth, was surrendered by Pegram at Rich Mountain.
I afterwards served upon the staff of General Loring,* accompa-
- The following extract from a letter from General Loring may be given
as a memorial of the last days of this gallant officer, if for naught else:
NEW YORK, nth May, 1886. Colonel GEORGE A. PORTERFIELD:
Dear Colonel I am pleased at the receipt of your letter, and have read it with a great deal of pleasure. No one knew better than I did how much wrong they did you. I am so very young that I look to the future with the same bright anticipations I did at sixteen. Time at last puts all things right.
- * * *******
Truly your friend,
W. W. LORING.
