Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes General Samuel Jones concerning June, 1863, action in the
Shenandoah Valley. Lee asks Jones to keep watch for any Federal forces advancing
toward Staunton.
Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones,
Comdg. Dept. of Western
Virginia, Dublin Depot:
June 7, 1863.
Gen.:
I have directed Gen. Imboden, after leaving a guard at the Shenandoah Mountain, to move with the rest of his force upon Romney, with the view of striking a damaging blow upon the enemy guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in that region. He may be detained along that line some time, and my object is to request your attention to any movements that may be made by the enemy from Northwestern Virginia in the direction of Staunton.
I hope you have sufficient cavalry to scout in the direction of Huttonsville from Lewisburg, and to keep yourself informed of any hostile expedition from that quarter. Gen. Imboden's whole effective force, cavalry, infantry, and artillery, does not much exceed 1,300 men. I am anxious for him to get all the recruits he can in Hampshire and Hardy, and otherwise improve his efficiency.
I do not know whether you have sent to Gen. Jenkins all the cavalry you can spare. He has mentioned to me several regiments still behind, which he is desirous of obtaining, but not knowing whether you had enough for your purposes, I have delayed submitting to you his request. He has advanced down into the Valley, and driven the enemy close to Winchester, having his advance pickets at Kernstown.
I require now all the additional force I can get.
I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
Gen.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 27, Serial No. 45, Pages 866, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
