Summary:
In this May, 1862, letter, Union General Nathaniel P. Banks reports to Secretary of War Stanton on movements in the Valley after the battle of McDowell. He notes the union of Jackson and Johnson's Confederate forces at Staunton.

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Hon. E. M. STANTON:

NEW MARKET,

May 12, 1862

Our column moved this morning-my division for Strasburg, Gen. Shields' for Catlett's Station. The enemy is still in position. Jackson and Johnson united near Staunton. Ewell on Gordonsville road. Three late deserters from America Army were taken prisoners yesterday-Ciprini, Beaumont, and Vesquair. They report rumors in rebel camp of contemplated attack on Washington, and instructions to Beauregard by Davis to attempt recapture of New Orleans. They say rebels of army much reduced since fall of New Orleans. They say rebels will make stand at Hanover Station if they fall back from Fredericksburg.

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