Summary:
Lee's aide-de-camp Charles Marshall writes General J. E. B. Stuart in April,
1864, to warn him of a suspected Union raid on either Staunton or the Virginia
and Tennessee Railroad.
Maj. Gen. J. E. B. STUART,
Cmdg. Cavalry Corps:
April 23, 1864.
GEN.:
The commanding general directs me to inform you that, in view of the reports of your scouts and those of Gen. Imboden, he is disposed to believe that Averell contemplates making another expedition, either to Staunton or the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, simultaneously with the general movement of the Federal army. The reduction of the enemy's force on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in the lower valley, has induced the general to direct Gen. Imboden, if he finds it practicable, to endeavor to anticipate the movement of Averell and disconcert his plans by a demonstration against the railroad and the force guarding it in Martinsburg and the lower valley. Should Gen. Imboden attempt this, Gen. Lee thinks that his end might be promoted by the co-operation of Col. Mosby, and he directs that you will notify the latter to communicate with Gen. Imboden and, if possible, arrange some plan for a combined movement. Great care should be taken to prevent your letter to Mosby from falling into the hands of the enemy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES MARSHALL,
Lieut.-Col. and Aide-de-Camp.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 33, Serial No. 60, Pages 1307, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
