Summary:
Thomas J. Jackson commanded Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley during the spring of 1862. In this March report he informs General Joseph E. Johnston of intelligence gathered in the Valley. He mentions Union plans to pursue him to Staunton, as well as the Union generals' conciliatory policy toward Valley civilians.

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Gen. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,
Cmdg. Department of Northern Virginia:

MOUNT JACKSON,

March 21, 1862.

MY DEAR GEN.:

Yours of yesterday is at hand.

Ashby reports that a reliable man from Strasburg this morning reports that Shields is in command there and that the Federals claim to have at that place 20,000, but that he does not believe that they exceed 10,000. This last I am of the opinion is a full estimate. He further states that they say that they intend pursuing me to Staunton.

From what I have seen of Federal prisoners their troops know but little respecting their destination.

My spies have not yet returned. The enemy do not appear to have committed depredations on their march. Their policy is conciliatory. My headquarters will be at or near Woodstock.

Very truly, yours,

T. J. JACKSON,
Maj.-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 835, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.