Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood
June 18-19 1863

Headquarters Second Virginia Volunteer Cavalry,
Camp Piatt, June 19, 1863.

Sir: In obedience to your order of the 18th, I left Camp Piatt with the remaining portion of my command, numbering 103, including officers, at 2 p. m. of said date; crossed over to Big Coal River; up said river to Thompson's Ford, finding the balance of my command, including the two companies sent out on the 17th and the one on the morning of the 18th, which had been up to Pack's farm and returned to Thompson's Ford, having found no enemy at that point. I crossed Big Coal River; proceeded up Laurel Creek to Pond Fork of Little Coal River, on which creek the rebel cavalry had camped on the night of the 17th, having left Pack's farm on Big Coal River on the morning of the 17th. I reached a point within 1 1/2 miles of where the rebel cavalry had camped, at 1 a. m. 19th, having marched my command from 9 p. m. of the 18th until 1 a. m. 19th, by candle-light (in consequence of the extreme darkness of the night), in order that I might attack the enemy at daylight.

I learned, however, at the point where I halted, that the enemy had disappeared from their camp on Pond Fork at 10a.m. of the 18th, and had gone in the direction of Raleigh Court-House.

I scouted, however, 10 miles up Pond Fork this morning, 7 1/2 miles beyond where they had been in camp. Could learn nothing definite of their whereabouts or direction. At 7 a. m., 19th, I started en route for camp; arrived at Thompson's Ford at 12 m., where I learned that 100 rebel cavalry had been at 4 a. m., who, upon hearing of my force being up on Pond Fork of Little Coal River, retreated in great haste up Big Coal River, in the direction of Wyoming Court-House.

I am inclined to the opinion, from all I could learn, that there is no other force between Wyoming Court-House and this point other than the force referred to in this report, and presume they are beyond that point ere this.

Rebel reports on Pond Fork say nine regiments between Newbern Station and Raleigh Court-House. An attack to be made on Fayette soon.

I arrive at Camp Piatt with my command at 6 p.m.

Trusting all will prove satisfactory, I am, captain, your obedient servant,

W. H. Powell,
Colonel, Commanding Second Virginia Cavalry.

Capt. J. L. Botsford, A. A. G., Charleston, W. Va.

Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: June 1863