The New York Times
June 4, 1861
Washington, Monday, June 3.
Lieut.-Gen. Scott to-night received a dispatch from Gen. McClellan, stating that the command under Gen. Morris, last night marched on Grafton.
It was raining at the time. They surprised a party of Secessionists, near Phillippa, about 200 strong, and effectually put them to the route and killed some of them. A large quantity of arms, munitions, and a number of horses, which the Secessionists left in their alarm, fell into the hands of the Federals. The rebels retreated further into Virginia. Col. Kelly was mortally wounded.
Battle in Western Virginia.
The Rebel Camp at Phillippa Broken Up—Rout of the Rebels—Col. Kelly, of the First Virginia Regiment, Killed.
Cincinnati, Monday, June 3.
Two columns of troops from Gen. McClellan’s command, one under command of Col. Kelly, of the First Virginia Volunteers, and the other under command of Col. Crittenden, composed of the Indiana Volunteers, left Grafton early last night, and after marching the entire night about 20 miles through a drenching rain, surprised, a camp of rebels, 2,000 strong, at Phillippa, Va., and routed them, killing 15, capturing a large amount of arms, horses, amunition, provisions, camp equippage, &c. The surprise was complete, and at the last advices, the Federal troops were in hot pursuit of the rebels. It is probable that many prisoners will be taken.
Col. Kelley was mortally wounded, and has since died. Several others of the Federal troops were slightly wounded.