Summary:
During July, 1861, Confederates in the Valley sought to stop Union General George B. McClellan's advance through what is now West Virginia. Staunton served as an important depot and rail center during the campaign. In this letter, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston mentions troops sent through Staunton to meet McClellan.

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HEADQUARTERS,

Gen. COOPER?

Manassas,

July 23, 1861.

GENERAL:

I respectfully inclose herewith a note just received from Col. Stuart. The President knows the person from whom the colonel received the information and the value of his statements. He came with a Mr. Magraw to as permission to come within our lines to look for the body of a friend; taking this course, they said, because a rule established by their authorities forbids flags of truce in such cases. Col. Stuart is directed to treat them as prisoners. Should they be permitted to go to the North from Richmond, I suggest that the sea furnished their best route.

The last paragraph indicates a diversion in Western Virginia effected by the recent battle.

Col. A. W. McDonald has just reported to me, and been ordered to repair through Staunton to the forces assembling to operate against the troops commanded by McClellan.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. JOHNSTON,
Brig.-Gen., C. S. Army.

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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 995, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.