Series 1, Volume 51, Part 1, p. 568
General Orders, No. 11
Hdqrs. Mountain Department
Wheeling, Va., April 7, 1862.
I. Commanders of posts, and all troops not moving in the field, are directed to use their utmost exertions to destroy the various bands of guerrillas now beginning to infest the department. The activity of the rebels must be met by corresponding watchfulness. While it is impossible to guard all the points liable to be attacked by these bands, it is easy to fight them in their own style, and by rapid marches, vigorous attacks, and severe measures, annihilate them. To this end, therefore, sudden and frequent movements must be made, both by night and day. Commanders will obtain from scouts, and every other source of information, the earliest and best intelligence with regard to the movements and haunts of the marauders, and surprise and attack them whenever possible. It is desirable that all the reliable information of any such guerrilla movements shall be also transmitted directed to the headquarters of this department.
By command of Major-General Freemont:
Albert Tracy,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: April 1862