Summary:
In early May, 1862, Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson launched his famous offensive in the Shenandoah Valley after feigning a retreat from the area. This letter, from Union General Nathaniel P. Banks, reports on Jackson's return to the Valley, with Staunton a possible destination.

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Gen. [LORENZO THOMAS],
Adjutant-Gen.'s Office:

NEW MARKET,

2nd-7 p.m.
(Received May 3, 1862, 9 p.m.)

Jackson moved his army yesterday on the road to Port Republic, east of the Shenandoah. The signal officers report at 2.30 p.m. that they saw his army moving toward that place. His tents still standing this side Blue Ridge. His destination either Waynesborough or Staunton. If latter place, possibly to join Johnson and attack Milroy. Gen. Ewell is said to be near Stanardsville. Our cavalry scouts from Columbia Bridge advanced 8 miles in direction of the Blue Ridge, encountering the enemy in a sharp skirmish, in which they lost 1 killed, 4 wounded. Our guide was badly wounded.

No change of forces except to strengthen Harrisonsburg somewhat.

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 126, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.