Summary:
In November, 1862, while Army of the Potomac Commander Ambrose Burnside planned a
movement on Fredericksburg, General Thomas J. Jackson's Confederates operated in
the Shenandoah Valley. In this letter, Robert E. Lee writes Jackson concerning
the strategic situation in the Valley and Virginia. He states that loss of the
Valley and its supplies would be a severe blow. He also mentions a telegram from
Staunton concerning Federal troop strengths in the area.
Lieut. Gen. THOMAS J. JACKSON,
Cmdg. Corps:
November 12, 1862
GEN.:
Your letter of the 10th, by special courier, has been received. In my letter of yesterday, in reply to yours of first date, I discussed the question of your further delay in the valley. I cannot add more to what has been said, and it must depend upon the advantages you can effect by operating against the communications of the enemy. He has as yet given no indications of his further movement or direction southward. Whether he will cross the Rapahannock or proceed to Fredericksburg I cannot tell. It is easier for you to determine what damage you can inflict upon him where you are. If you can accomplish nothing but to retain occupation of the valley, in the apparent and probable need of all our forces southward, the force under you is too far from the scene of action. If an advance toward Fredericksburg is discovered, it is plain that you cannot delay longer, and you must be prepared to move at any time. Make your arrangements accordingly, and be prepared to move at any moment. Gen. Stuart has been directed to watch the enemy closely, but you know the difficulty of determining the first movements. You may learn more from the rear than we can in front. It would be grievous for the valley and its supplies to fall into the hands of the enemy unnecessarily, but we can only act upon probabilities and endeavor to avoid greater evils.
Col. Davidson, at Staunton, telegraphs that the enemy is within 35 miles of that place--one column at McDowell and one at Rawley Springs; the two columns estimated at from 4,000 to 6,000 men. He asks for re-enforcement. I have none to send him. Have you a disposable force? The Marylanders, if unable to remain at Winchester, might be stationed there.
I am, &c.,
R. E. LEE,
Gen.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 19, Serial No. 28, Pages 714-715, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
