To RH Milroy From Gen BF Kelley Feb 17 1862

              Harpers Ferry, Feby 17, 1862 
 
 
 
Brig. Genl. Milroy. 
 
 
 
		Dear Sir, 
 
 
 
	From dispatch by Capt. 
Ott received this morning at about 9 o’clock  
and put at that time I received a dispatch from  
Col. Washburn advising me that he had information  
about the rebels seen in Moorsfield about one  
thousand infantry and four hundred calvery  
army, and that his for__________ be with the guard  
and been captured yesterday by the rebel cavalry  
of course under this state of things it will not  
do to withdraw Col. Washburns force from Romney. 
 
 
 
	I explained to you some time  
since, that I deemed impolite to withdraw Col.  
Washburns force, as it was absolutely necessary  
to keep a force in the Valley of the South Branch  
sufficient to protect our man, to prevent the distruction 
of the railroad and our forces at new Creek.  
 
 
 
If it is deemed advisable to spring thru you,  
it must be done from here or from some other  
point. The road west of this must be protected  
unless you are approached  
by some position of the army at Fredricksburg  
I think you need not be apprehensive as the force  
above including Jones, Imbodenis and Whites combined  
could not successfully compete with your force