Summary:
In April, 1864, Union forces in western Virginia prepared to advance in
conjunction with Grant's spring campaign. In this letter, Franz Sigel reports on
preparations in western Virginia, and the locations and strengths of the
Confederates facing him. He informs Grant that Confederate deserters who entered
Union lines from Staunton report that General Jubal Early took command in
Staunton.
Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT:
CUMBERLAND, MD.,
April 21, 1864--6 p. m.
(Received 9.50 p. m.)
The troops are mostly on their way west and east, and the necessary arrangements are made at Parkersburg to ship the infantry. The cavalry and trains will go from Parkersburg by land to Charleston, where Gen. Crook wishes that all troops from here should be sent. I sent him five infantry regiments and two regiments of cavalry under Gen. Averell, which will make him about 10,000 effective men. As soon as the troops at Martinsburg are assembled for the greater part I will go there.
No information has been received in regard to important changes in the position of the enemy. Latest reports say that Early, with 4,000 to 5,000 men, is in the vicinity and north and south of Staunton. The forces of Breckinridge are reported at La Fayette Station, 10 miles west of New River bridge; are estimated at from 6,000 to 8,000 men. They are stationed from Lynchburg to Saltville, and in front of this line to Greenbrier River.
Deserters from Staunton say that Gen. Early would take command in the valley. They also report that they were left behind by Longstreet in June, 1863, at Staunton, and that they received orders at the commencement of this month to return to Tennessee to join Hood's division. They say that Longstreet in person was at Richmond, but do not know whether his corps has gone East. It may be that Hood's division has been left at or near Cumberland Gap, as reported by Gen. Crook, and that the other divisions have gone to join Lee's army.
Gen. Crook, to whom I sent the report of Breckinridge, says that this report is very correct as far as the country in his front is concerned. Col. Babcock knows about this report, of which I have sent a copy to the Adjutant-Gen. at Washington.
F. SIGEL,
Maj.-Gen.
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 936, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
