To RH Milroy From Bynn Paine Jan 8 1865

              HeadQuarters 43d RWVJ 

Decherd Tenn. Jan’y 8th 1865 

General, 

	I have the honor to report that in obedience 
to an order received by telegraph on the 6th a little after  
noon, I proceeded with my entire command at this 
post except such as were unable to march, in pursuit 
of the rebel force, reported to have passed near here that 
morning. At the time the order was received, a part of 
my troops were at Winchester, to which place they had 
gone on the 5th before receiving orders to the contrary, a part 
were detailed on various duties, and as there was a drenching 
rain nearly all the afternoon, I was unable after getting 
ready, as rapidly as possible to proceed beyond Winchester 
that night, Early on the morning of the 7th we started  
on the trail which passed near that place and followed  
it up the Boiling Fork about two miles. It there left the 
Creek, and struck across towards the mountain in the 
direction of Mount Top. We followed it onto the Mountain 
and learned that instead of crossing it on the Bellefont road