Summary:
Union General Franz Sigel writes General Benjamin F. Kelley on May, 1864, movements and fighting in the Shenandoah Valley. Sigel asks Kelley to ask General Crook to operate against Staunton with the purpose of destroying the railroad.

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Brig.-Gen. KELLEY:

MARTINSBURG,

May 17, 1864.

After two days' skirmishing, a severe battle was fought at New-Market between our forces and those of Echols and Imboden, under Breckinridge. I had to withdraw our troops from the battle-field toward evening, and recrossed the Shenandoah. I will go back to my position behind Cedar Creek and accept another battle, if necessary.

The troops are in very good spirits, but greatly outnumbered, as Breckinridge has evidently thrown his principal forces against me. I will, however, do my best and depend on your assistance. I wish that you send me immediately the Fourth Virginia Infantry, and the Second Maryland Infantry as there is no serious danger for Cumberland and New Creek, or other places west, as long as I can maintain my position here. Please inform Gen. Crook by any means, and direct him to operate against Staunton, and to destroy if possible the railroad between Staunton and Jackson River Depot.

F. SIGEL,
Maj.-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 37, Serial No. 70, Pages 478-479, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.