Summary:
During July, 1861, Major Michael G. Harman commanded Confederate troops in Staunton, VA, while Robert S. Garnett oversaw the defense of what is now West Virginia. In this dispatch, Harman informs Lee of the retreat of Garnett in the face of Federal troops, and proposes to raise one thousand men in Augusta County to go to Garnett's aid.

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Gen. R. L. LEE:

STAUNTON, VA.,

July 14, 1861.

Below is a note, sent in by Private Strain, from Col. Scott. I can form no idea of the extent of the loss we have sustained, but will communicate with you as I receive information. Have telegraph offices kept open night and day:

HUTTONSVILLE, VA., July 12, 1861.

DEAR SIR: Camp Garnett has been taken, and Gen. Garnett will retire through Hardy. I am directed to unite with your regiment and Col. Johnson's, and fortify Cheat Mountain. Therefore hasten your march by forced marches.

W. C. SCOTT,
Col. Forty-fourth Regiment.

I will do all in my power to raise one thousand men is this county, to march to Gen. Garnett's aid before the governor returns, and will do all that can be done to procure transportation to send off the Arkansas regiments without delay.

M. G. HARMAN,
Maj., Commanding.

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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 2, Serial No. 2, Pages 244, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.