Summary:
Union General Winfield Scott Hancock writes General Torbert to order a May, 1865, expedition to Staunton. Hancock orders Torbert to take blank paroles, and to make sure all goods are paid for, and the property of civilians respected.

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Brevet Maj.-Gen. TORBERT,
Cmdg. Army of the Shenandoah:

WASHINGTON, D. C.

May 1, 1865

GEN.:

I wish to send an expedition to Staunton with twenty-five days' rations, consisting of one brigade of infantry, under a good commander. I would suggest Gen. Duval. I also wish Brig.-Gen. Carroll to be ready to march here through Loudoun County, with his three regiments of veterans, to join the remainder at Camp Stoneman. I will send you orders in detail. Have them ready. I also wish a good regiment of cavalry to go with the brigade to Staunton. Blank paroles should be sent with the command, and all regular supplies should be paid for, or proper vouchers given. The greatest order should be preserved in the marches, and no depredations upon private property whatever should be permitted.

I am, very respectfully,

W. S. HANCOCK,
Maj.-Gen., Cmdg. Middle Military Division.

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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 46, Serial No. 97, Pages 1065, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.