Summary:
In this May 10, 1862, letter, Union General Robert Schenck reports on the movements of Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson in the Valley. He mentions a scouting party sent to Staunton, and the reports they brought back of Jackson's and Johnson's combined force, augmented by troops arriving by train in Staunton.

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Col. ALBERT TRACY,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.:

CAMP MILROY, Franklin,

May 10, 1862.
(Received 10.45 p. m.)

I have certain information that the rebels have a strong picket advanced to within 9 miles of my camp on the road from Monterey, and near the place where we encamped last night. More than 100 infantry were seen there by a reliable scouting party an noon to-day, and there might be, they said, many more. Three of Gen. Milroy's best scouts, who were sent in the direction of Staunton last Monday, have just returned. They ascertained that Jackson's and Johnson's united forces amounted to 14,000, and were being re-enforced three days ago by troops arriving in trains at Staunton; they know of three long trains full. We have some apprehensions that an attempt may be made to send a force around between you and us. It will be best, I think, if you can get forward your additional force and Blenker's division as fast as possible.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK,
Brig.-Gen.

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