Summary:
During July, 1861, fighting in western Virginia, Staunton served as an
important Confederate base of supply and reinforcement. In this letter,
Confederate General Henry R. Jackson writes Michael G. Harman, quartermaster at
Staunton, concerning reinforcements for the front.
Maj. M. G. HARMAN, Quartermaster, Staunton, Va.:
Monterey, Va.,
July 23, 1861.
DEAR SIR:
Yours of yesterday has just been placed in my hands (about 7 a. m.), and it will consequently be impossible for me to get the courier back to you by 10 o'clock this morning.
I must still continue to press upon you the importance of sending troops, with supplies and ammunition, as rapidly as possible, by the way of Millborough, to the Huttonsville turnpike. As I have already written and telegraphed to yourself and to headquarters, this point is equidistant from Huntersville and the Millborough Station, and the road thither is a common country road and very rough. Until further notice do not send any more troops to this point.
I do not think that Capt. Marye's artillery will be in any danger whatsoever between Millborough and Huntersville. Col. Lee's command will be on the road in advance of him, and between himself and the enemy. At Huntersville he will see Capt. Cole, with whom he can confer as to any danger beyond that point. I cannot weaken Col. Lee's command, already quite too small for the end to be accomplished, in order to guard against the possibility of danger, and I have no cavalry with me fit to be sent to the Warm Springs who are not upon necessary and arduous duty.
Very respectfully, yours,
H. R. JACKSON.
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 994, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
