Summary:
Union Colonel George Wells reports to Captain William Boone on troop positions in the Shenandoah Valley in December, 1863. Wells reports rumors of fighting near Staunton.

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Capt. WILLIAM M. BOONE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

December 18, 1863.

CAPTAIN:

I have the honor to report all quiet here. Rumors of fighting at Harrisonburg or Staunton; also that our infantry force is advancing on Winchester, on the other side of the North Mountain.

Our cavalry have been beyond Woodstock to-day. Cannot learn of any enemy in our immediate vicinity. Imboden is said to be between Harrisonburg and New Market; his advance outposts at Edenburg. The river very high and unfordable at Front Royal. Forage train and your dispatch have arrived. I have no idea of deviating unless forced to do so by the contingency mentioned in my instructions as to be specially guarded against. Shall go to Woodstock to-morrow and follow my instructions in the order. Men healthy and in good spirits.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

GEO. D. WELLS,
Colonel, Commanding.

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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 29, Serial No. 48, Pages 937-938, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.