Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes General John Imboden concerning the July, 1863, situation in
the Shenandoah Valley. Lee orders Imboden to do his best to get prisoners to
Staunton.
Brig. Gen. J. D. Imboden, Comdg., &c.:
July 9, 1863.
Gen.:
Your letter of 8 p. m. yesterday was received.
I hope Col. G. W. Imboden will get correct information as regards the enemy stated by you to be advancing from Hancock. I request you to desire him to sift the reports that may reach him, and report only such as he has reason to believe to be correct.
It will be necessary for him to keep his cavalry active, and instruct men and officers to be steady, and to oppose vigorously the advance of any parties that may present themselves. I do not believe the force can be large; probably only some cavalry.
It would be an unwise measure for a small body of infantry to attempt to force its way through this army to join the main body of the enemy, which is certainly beyond South Mountain. I do not think they will attempt it.
You must turn over this matter to Col. Imboden, and yourself attend to getting the prisoners on to Staunton as soon as possible. I hope you will bend all your energies to this subject, and get them along with as much expedition and comfort as circumstances will permit.
I have directed Lieut.-Col. Thomas B. Massie to advance a portion of his cavalry from Charlestown to Martinsburg, to give additional security to your movement; so you may look out for him.
I desire you to organize the companies of which you spoke yesterday, as soon as possible, and collect all your serviceable men, and get back to this army as soon as you can.
Unless Col. H. B. Davidson can place a guard at the Shenandoah Mountain, you will still have to retain a guard at that point, with directions to report to him. You must take as small a guard from Gen. Pickett's command as you can possible do with, and carry it no farther than Winchester, as we want every man now with this army.
I presume your battery that operates with your cavalry is mounted as horse artillery. If so, it will require no support but the cavalry itself.
If they have more guns than they require, the surplus can be sent back to Williamsport.
It will be necessary for Col. Imboden to picket well out on the road, or he will be of no service whatever. He must throw his pickets well out, and keep his men on the alert, and not suffer them to be surprised or taken. His operations must be conducted with boldness and prudence. I regret to hear that a part of his men deserted some wagons when threatened by the enemy, which, as far as reported to me, was not necessary. I do not know the facts, but mention the report to call the attention of Col. Imboden to it, in order that he may inquire into it, and prevent the repetition of such conduct.
Very 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 987-988, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
