Summary:
Union forces briefly occupied Staunton, VA, in early June, 1864. In this letter, Confederate Reserve Colonel Kenton Harper reports that after the Federal departure, Staunton's slaves began acting badly. He suggests sending troops to the town to aid and protect the citizens.

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Maj. Gen. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Cmdg. Forces in the Valley District:

ON THE MARCH,

June 12, 1864.

GEN.:

I have information from Staunton that the slaves in the town and its vicinity have been greatly demoralized, and are acting quite as badly as the enemy did while occupying the place. I would respectfully suggest, therefore, that a small force be sent there to aid the citizens left behind who were deprived of their arms by the enemy. Capt. Noes with his guard would be quite sufficient.

KENTON HARPER,
Col. Reserve.

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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 759, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.