Summary:
In early May, 1862, Confederate Thomas J. Jackson prepared to launch an offensive in the Shenandoah Valley. Robert E. Lee, then acting as commander in chief of Confederate forces, orders General Richard Ewell to cover Jackson's advance on Staunton.

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Maj. Gen. R. S. EWELL,
Cmdg., &c., near Stanardsville:

Richmond, Va.,

May 1, 1862.

GEN.:

Your letter of the 30th ultimo, with the inclosure, is received. A letter from Gen. Jackson of the 29th ultimo apprised me of a movement toward Staunton which he had in contemplation, and which is doubtless that referred to by you. This explains the necessity of your occupying the place of Gen. Jackson until his return. All the information I have received confirms your intelligence with regard to the force of the enemy in front of the Rappahannock toward Manassas. It is desirable to remove the supplies in the country referred to by you, but I do not know how it can be done. The cattle, horses, &c., might be driven off, and I advise that you continue to accumulate stores at Gordonsville for your command. You will keep your command in readiness to move toward Fredericksburg or to co-operate with Gen. Jackson in any movement he may make against the enemy at the White Plains or Salem, as occasion may require.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,
Gen., Cmdg.

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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 877-878, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.