Summary:
Confederate General Jubal Early writes General John C. Breckinridge concerning reports that Union troops are returning to Staunton in June, 1864. Early asks Breckinridge to send out military and civilian scouts to ascertain the truth of the rumors.

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Gen. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE:

CHARLOTTESVILLE,

June 16, 1864.

Following dispatch just received from operator at Waynesborough:

No Yankees this side of Martinsburg. Yankees are reported to have crossed mountain at White's Gap and are coming back to Staunton.

I suppose the latter part, if true at all, can only apply to raiding party to Amherst, but it is absolutely necessary to have correct information, and you will send out a cavalry scouting party to go and see the enemy at all hazards. Intelligent citizens might be employed as scouts and with advantage. I will get to Lynchburg as soon as I can, unless the force in Bedford is a mere raiding party.

J. A. EARLY,
Lieut.-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 764, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.