Summary:
Staunton, VA, served as an important base of supply throughout the war. In this
May, 1861, letter, Michael G. Harman, quartermaster at Staunton, informs
Virginia Governor John Letcher of supplies and men sent from Staunton to
reinforce northwestern Virginia.
His Excellency JOHN LETCHER, Governor of Virginia:
Staunton,
May 15, 1861.
DEAR SIR:
By direction of Maj.-Gen. Lee, I will start to-day the arms, &c., intended for the Northwest, under escort of Capt. F. F. Sterrett's company of cavalry. I have also, in furtherance of the plan concurred in by Col. F. H. Smith, ordered Capt. Felix H. Hull, who is now here, to proceed at once to Highland and gather two hundred men, including his company, to accompany Capt. Sterrett's command. I have further issued the following orders: to Capt. Moorman, of Pendleton, to repair at once to Monterey with two hundred men, if possible, including his company; to Capts. Stover and McNeil, of Pocahontas, to repair to Huttonsville, each with one hundred and fifty men, if possible, including his company; they severally to unite their commands with Capt. Sterrett's and proceed to Beverly. I have ordered Col. Goff, of the last-named place, to collect the volunteer forces of Randolph and such other force of men as he can gather, and I have directed each and all of these officers to bring with them such supply of arms and ammunition as they could without delay procure. I now respectfully invite you to issue at once to Col. Goff, or such other person as may seem good to you, such orders and directions, with regard to this expedition in aid of the Northwest, as may appear expedient. My aim is that it shall reach its destination (Grafton, of thought proper) at least by the day of election; at this last point it will be in communication by rail with Harper's Ferry and may from thence be re-enforced or vice versa.
I shall also send with the expedition at least a wagon load of bacon, to avoid a possibility of a want of provisions.
Hoping that my action in this matter may meet with your approval, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. G. HARMAN.
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 848, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
