Summary:
In late April, 1862, Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson positioned his forces to assume the offensive. In this letter, Union General Nathaniel P. Banks reports to Secretary of War Stanton on Jackson's movements, and the location of Johnson's Confederate troops outside Staunton.

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Hon. E.M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:

NEW MARKET,

April 30, 1862.

All quiet. Some alarm excited by movement of enemy's cavalry. It appears to-day that they were in pursuit of Union prisoner who escaped to our camp at Alma Bridge. He reports Jackson at foot of Blue Ridge. Ordnance train sent over mountains. The day he left, Jackson was to be re-enforced by Johnson and to make attack via Luray. Another report says Jackson is bound for Richmond. This is the fact, I have no doubt. Johnson is west of Staunton 6 miles; Milroy in his rear. Jackson is on half rations, his supplies having been cut off by our advance. There is nothing to be done in this valley this side of fortifications this side of Strasburg.

N.P. BANKS,
Maj.-Gen., Commanding.

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Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 12, Serial No. 18, Pages 118, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.