May 5, 1863
The Fifth Regiment. - The fifth regiment of Virginia militia, Colonel McCluney, paraded yesterday under orders, about eight hundred strong. They made a very soldierly and attractive appearance.
May 6, 1863
From The Wheeling Militia. - The Fifth Regiment of Wheeling Militia, Col. McCluney, which left this city on Monday evening reached Fairmont about 2 o'clock yesterday morning and quartered in various parts of the town. Col. Sweeney, of the 4th, with about a hundred of his men, reached Fairmont about the same time, and is now in command of the regiment, Col. McCluney acting as commander of the forces. Yesterday morning, Lieut. Col. Logan took a train down the road and gathered up the different companies that had been stationed at the bridges and the two regiments were last evening concentrated at Fairmont. When we left the whole force was about marching for Clarksburg by way of Grafton. A terrible rain storm overlook the bridge guarders yesterday and the boys were pretty thoroughly soaked. Twelve rebels, who had been arrested for burning the bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and for acting as guides during the recent rebel raid, were closely confined in Fairmont and were about starting for this city.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad company has manifested most surprising expedition in re-constructing the bridges. With the exception of the splendid bridge at Fairmont, (at which point a transfer is made,) the road is now open through to Baltimore, and regular passenger trains commenced running yesterday.
Gen. Lightburn, yesterday, received a dispatch at Grafton, from General Roberts, stating that the rebels were at Weston, seven thousand strong. It was not known what movement they intended to make next. Gen. Lightburn, yesterday, transferred his command over to Col. Mulligan, and the volunteers who had accompanied the expedition were dismissed.
A great majority of the members of the two regiments of Wheeling militia "want to come home." The younger portion enjoy themselves right well, but all have endured many hardships to which they have not heretofore been unaccustomed. Thorns as well as roses are encountered. The men have no tents and are compelled to bide the pelting of the pitiless storm, and the general hope of the officers and men is that they shall be kept on duty no longer than is necessary.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: May 1863