Summary:
Union General Franz Sigel writes General Max Weber concerning May, 1864, plans
for an advance in the Shenandoah Valley. He estimates the number of Confederates
between Staunton and Strasburg.
Brig. Gen. MAX WEBER, Cmdg. Officer, Harper's Ferry:
WINCHESTER,
May 2, 1864
I have occupied Winchester to-day, and will advance further up the Shenandoah Valley or retain my position here if the force of the enemy are not far superior to mine. I have my outposts toward Berryville, Front Royal, Strasburg, and Moorefield, and the greater part of the troops concentrated near Winchester. If the enemy should move against me with a large force it will probably be his object to cut me off from Harper's Ferry. I will, therefore, not rely on that line of retreat, but take a position between Winchester and Romney. In this case the troops in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry have to retire to Harper's Ferry, those at Martinsburg and vicinity to Falling Waters and Williamsport. The trains which may be at Martinsburg have also to cross at Falling Waters and at Williamsport, if the river is fordable. The Government stores at Martinsburg must in this case be shipped to Harper's Ferry and Cumberland by railroad. This depends on the time we may have. From information received it seems that the enemy has at this moment about 2,500 cavalry and from 3,000 to 4,000 infantry and artillery between Strasburg and Staunton, but these troops may be re-enforced very quickly, which depends upon the operations under Gen. Grant. You see from this statement what position I am in, and that I must have every available man to maintain it. Col. Rodgers' regiment should be sent to me immediately, if possible. If, in case of a strong force of the enemy, I take the position as indicated, I will defend Harper's Ferry indirectly, because the enemy cannot attack that place when I am on his left flank, and rear with my forces. I will, however, see what will be the best for me to do.
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 37, Serial No. 70, Pages 369-370, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
