Summary:
Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson's early May, 1862, Valley offensive took
Federals by surprise. In this late April letter, Union General John C. Fremont
reports to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton of scouting near Staunton, Virginia,
and the apparent retreat of Confederate forces in the area. He also discusses an
engagement between foragers and guerrillas at Bull Pasture.
Hon. E.M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
WHEELING, VA.,
April 30, 1862.
Dispatch of to-day just received. I repeat the following report, sent yesterday morning, viz: Gen. Milroy reports that his scouts have been within 7 miles of Staunton. Johnson was still retreating, and was said to be on his way to join Jackson. A foraging party of 26 wagons sent out by Gen. Milroy six days ago to Bull Pasture, 12 miles from McDowell, became water-bound, and was attacked by guerrillas and destroyed, only 10 horses escaping. Three soldiers are thus far known to have been badly wounded. A detachment has been sent to Bull Pasture. The advance of Gen. Cox's forces under Col. Scammon found intrenchments on the east side of the New River, opposite. The rebels had strong breastworks and rifle pits. They retreated on the approach of Col. Scammon, whose pickets are now within 2 miles of Flat Top. No change since yesterday's report. I have heard nothing further from Milroy. Streams along the Moorefield and Franklin road continue impassable. Hope to have Blenker's division at Moorefield by end of the week. Will hereafter number all telegrams sent to yourself, this being No. 1.
J.C. FREMONT,
Maj.-Gen.
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 119, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
