Summary:
C. W. D. Smiley reports to General Franz Sigel on an August, 1862, scouting expedition. He reports finding no troops in Staunton or Charlottesville. He also discusses an engagement with guerrillas.

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Maj. Gen. FRANZ SIGEL:

Randolph County, Va.,

August 13, 1862.

I have the honor to report that I have ascertained to a certainty no troops of any consequence in Staunton or Charlottesville. Jackson's headquarters few miles from Gordonsville, with 35,000 men. Thirty thousand men at Gordonsville. Jackson's men concealed. Left our horses at Alleghany Mountain and went on foot. Had a great deal of difficulty. Could not report sooner. My companion badly wounded. Have succeeded in getting him here. Could have reported sooner only on his account. Fired into by 60 guerrillas. Ewell about making arrangements to furnish all his guerrillas with pack mules.

C. W. D. SMILEY.

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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 569-570, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.