Smaller outposts were stationed some distance up the valley of the Gauley.

My headquarters tents were pitched in the door-yard of a dwelling-house facing the Gauley River, and I occupied an unfurnished room in the house for office purposes.

A week was spent, without molestation, exploring the country in all directions and studying its topography.

A ferry guided by a cable stretching along the piers of the burnt bridge communicated with the outposts up the New River, and a smaller ferry below the Kanawha Falls connected with the Fayette road.

Systematic discipline and instruction in outpost duty were enforced, and the regiments rapidly became expert mountaineers and scouts.