Summary:
Assistant Adjutant Charles Stringfellow writes Secretary of War James Seddon regarding the September, 1863, defense of western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, including the Staunton line.

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Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War, Richmond:

Dublin,

September 19, 1863.

Am satisfied, from information sent you in my telegram, that the salt-works are in imminent danger. The Sixtieth Virginia Regt. is at Narrows of New River. I think it can be spared, though Col. McCausland will then be left at Princeton with less than two regiments. In any event he can retreat safely to the Narrows. Shall I order the Sixtieth to Saltville, and take the risk in front?

I cannot hear from Gen. Jones. The enemy is between us, if reports are true, and I therefore ask that you will reply to-night. Wharton cannot resist the force opposed to him if as reported, and they move on him instead of against Gen. Jones.

If Scammon and Kelley make a simultaneous move in front, the withdrawal of the Sixtieth may lead to serious consequences here and on the Staunton line.

Please instruct me immediately.

CHAS. S. STRINGFELLOW,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

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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. 49, Pages 733, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.