Summary:
In late May, 1862, Lincoln ordered Shields division back into the Valley to help
deal with Stonewall Jackson. By early June, Shields and Fremont's forces engaged
in chasing Jackson southward. In this letter, Shields reports to General
McDowell on his movements. He mentions burned bridges in the Valley and a
possible advance on Staunton or Charlottesville with the intent of destroying
the railroad.
Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR:
The following has just been
received from Maj.-Gen. Shields:
LURAY,
June 3, 1862. (Received 9.30 a. m. June 4.)
Maj.-Gen. MCDOWELL,
Commanding Army of the Rappahannock:
Gen.:
The route from here to New Market is impracticable. The rebels burned down the bridges on the route; one called the Columbia Bridge, 10 miles from here, over the river, the other the White House Bridge, on the direct route over the river. The rains have so swelled the river that every effort to construct a bridge of boats has proved impracticable. My only chance now is to push on to Conrad's Store. The bridge there I expect to find burned also, but by going higher up we may find a ford. This would bring us out at Harrisonburg. If the river rises as at present it is doing I cannot hope to ford even there.
My next move will be to push on to Stanardsville, destroy there railroad and depot, and if possible to Staunton or Charlottesville. I have no cavalry. The Rhode Island cavalry has broken down and I must send it back, keeping only a few for orderlies. This cavalry has been sadly neglected. Can you not send me cavalry that can work, forage, & c.? If I cannot take the enemy in reverse at Rude's Hill, look to it. You cannot carry it in front without loss, and perhaps heavy loss. Rude's Hill is between Mount Jackson and New Market. I drove him out by a flank movement on the west side of the turnpike, but I fear the river is too high now to effect this. With good cavalry I could stampede them to Richmond. I will destroy their means of escape somehow. Send my cavalry that can march and know how to take care of themselves.
Yours, most respectfully,
JAS. SHIELDS,
Commanding Division.
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 325, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
