Summary:
Confederate Cavalry Commander William E. Jones writes General John D. Imboden concerning a possible April, 1863, Union attack on the Valley. Jones orders that the area around Staunton serve as a rendezvous point in case of trouble.

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Gen. J. D. IMBODEN,
Cmdg. at Shenandoah Mountain:

LACEY SPRING, VA.,

April 16, 1863.

GEN.:

There is no sign of the enemy in the Valley. News has reached me from Sperryville just now, but no tidings of the move anticipated. Orders are sent by the bearer of this to your cavalry to encamp between Harrisonburg and your position, to await orders either from you or me. Your infantry and artillery you can put in camp where it may best suit you, keeping in view some point of rendezvous toward Staunton, if threatened by a force my immediate command cannot meet. My opinion is, the attack on the Valley has been abandoned, if ever entertained, by the enemy. Gen. Stuart is still near Culpeper Court-House. As soon as plans for the future can be arranged, you will be notified. If you can put everything in condition for action in your absence, I would be glad to see you in day or so to arrange our affairs.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. E. JONES,
Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.

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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 25, Serial No. 40, Pages 728, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.