Summary:
Representatives of the northern counties of Virginia write Robert E. Lee
concerning the military situation in April, 1861. They mention a large Union
buildup of forces at Chambersburg, express fear for their counties and the
Shenandoah Valley, and request reinforcements to deal with the threat.
Gen. LEE:
Richmond,
April 27, 1861.
DEAR SIR:
Will you permit us to ask your attention to a state of things which we regard as of great and urgent moment to our part of the State-the northern portion of the Valley of Shenandoah? A large camp of Northern troops is now concentration at Chambersburg, in Pennsylvania, just against and very near that part of our border. The papers inform us that one or more brigades are now there, and several others marching to join them. The object stated is to invade Virginia upon the first indication of movement on the part of our force. From the position chosen and the rich and defenseless character of our northern Valley counties, we believe that first blow will fall upon our people. We are entirely without cannon, although appropriated to us by act of assembly, and urgently claimed by some of us for months past. Artillery companies at Winchester are ready to service and use them.
Very respectfully,
ROB. Y. CONRAD,
JAS. MARSHALL,
Frederick County.
EDMUND PENDLETON,
Berkeley County.
HUGH M. NELSON,
Clarke County.
ALFRED M. BARBOR,
Jefferson County.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 51, Serial No. 108, Pages 49, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
