Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes General John B. Floyd in August, 1861, to discuss movements
and orders in western Virginia. Staunton is mentioned as a supply base.
HDQRS.,
Gen. J. B. FLOYD,
Cmdg., Lewisburg, Va.:
Valley Mountain,
August 8, 1861.
GEN.:
I have learned from a letter received from Gen. Wise this morning that you intended moving upon Lewisburg yesterday. The general reports his legion unprepared at present to take the field for want of tents, clothing, means of transportation, &c., for which he has sent to Staunton. I have written to him to-day to join you as soon as possible. A part of his force now occupies, I believe, Meadow Bluff, and from his cavalry scouts you will learn of the proceedings of the enemy in your front. I need not repeat to you the importance of holding the enemy west of Lewisburg if possible, and of preventing his approach by the turnpikes through Raleigh to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad in Wythe and Washington Counties, and in Pulaski County. I hope some Southern regiments have by this time been posted at Wytheville, and should you learn that such is the case you are desired to keep in communication with their commander, to give such directions to the troops collected on the Fayette and Raleigh turnpike as may be necessary, and to assume the control of the troops operating in the Kanawha District, unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary of War. It may be proper to inform you that a part of Gen. Loring's forces occupy this position with its depot and reserve at Huntersville. Another part of his command, under Gen. H. R. Jackson, holds a position on the Staunton and Parkersburg turnpike, where it crosses the Alleghany, having its reserve and depot at Monterey. You are desired to communicate to him any information of interest to his command. I learn from recent advices believed to be reliable that the enemy is fortifying Charleston, repairing the Gauley bridge, and is advanced seven or eight miles east to the Hawk's Nest. His march with 300 infantry to Fayette Court-House was for the purpose of releasing some prisoners confined there in jail. Gen. Cox is said to have made himself very acceptable to the inhabitants of Kanawha Valley by his considerate conduct, and that he has between 3,000 and 4,000 men at Gauley River. I also learn that the troops that had been sent to Summersville from this line are returning, probably walled by the advance to this point. I have heard of no movement of the enemy as yet threatening the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
Gen., Cmdg.
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 220, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
