Summary:
Union General William Averell writes General Benjamin Kelley in February, 1864, to report that a deserter came into Union lines from the Staunton area. Averell gathered intelligence on Confederate troops strengths and locations from the deserter.

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Brig. Gen. B. F. KELLEY,
Cumberland:

Martinsburg,

February 27, 1864

Deserter from Lomax's brigade, this side Staunton, came in during the night. Says Rosser's command most all on furlough. Imboden was in Rockbridge. Horses of all commands scanty and in poor condition. Gilmor is out on scout. Small dismounted parties foraging through the country. Heard of no movement in any direction. I reckon that the force at Franklin is a strong picket posted in apprehension of an advance of us.

WM. W. AVERELL,
Brig.-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 33, Serial No. 60, Pages 608, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.