At Gallipolis was the Twenty-first Ohio, which I should add to my command and proceed at once with two regiments to Point Pleasant at the mouth of the Kanawha, five miles above.

When all were assembled, one regiment was to be left at Point Pleasant, two were to be advanced up the valley to Ten-mile Creek, and the other placed at an intermediate position.

"Until further orders," the letter continued, "remain on the defensive and endeavor to induce the rebels to remain at Charleston until I can cut off their retreat by a movement from Beverly." Captain W.J.Kountz, an experienced steamboat captain, was in charge of water-transportation, and would furnish light-draught steamboats for my use.

[Footnote: What purports to be McClellan's letter to me is found in the Records (Official Records, vol.ii.

pt.i.p.