Summary:
Union cavalry Major Daniel Darling reports on a November, 1864, reconnaissance in the Valley. He mentions having in custody a man who came in from Staunton who might have useful information.

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Capt. C. H. SAFFORD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

November 7, 1864.

CAPT.:

In obedience to orders I made a reconnaissance to Edenburg, with the Seventh Regt. and 100 men of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry. We passed unmolested up the pike till we struck the enemy's picket line beyond the creek that crosses the pike this side of Edenburg. Their outer vedettes were driven in upon their main line, together with some dismounted men. A few shots were fired and we withdrew, having found their line quite strong, and posted, as nearly as we could learn from citizens, about where it has been for the last ten days. Citizens also report the enemy's infantry at New Market and Forestville. Drums were distinctly heard in direction of Forestville. I send you a man whom I picked up at Woodstock; he is a stranger there, and came in yesterday from Staunton. Thinking he might give some valuable information I brought him along. The command left camp at 8 a.m., being detained two hours by the detail from the Sixth Michigan Cavalry. Arrived in camp at 8 p.m.

All of which is very respectfully submitted.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. H. DARLING,
Maj., Cmdg.

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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 43, Serial No. 90, Pages 468-469, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.