Summary:
Confederate General G. W. Smith writes in September, 1862, to General Henry Wise
to report on a telegraph received from Staunton discussing a battle in the
Shenandoah Valley.
HDQRS.,
Brig. Gen. HENRY A. WISE,
Cmdg., &c.,
Peninsula:
Richmond,
September 28, 1862.
GEN.:
Yours of the 21st is received. Be vigilant and careful. Don't bring on a doubtful contest. But I know you will bear in mind the whole condition of affairs and previous instructions. My object in writing at present is to say that the companies of the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, now with you, under Maj. Belsches, are much needed at Culpeper Court-House and beyond, with their regiment. As soon as you can possibly dispense with their services, order Maj. Belsches to move with his companies, to Culpeper Court-House and report to Col. J. R. Chambliss, commanding the regiment at that point or in the vicinity, sending copy of your order to Maj. Melton, adjutant-general. It is not intended that you should cripple or materially embarrass your own movements by detaching this cavalry, but to explain the necessity for their services on another point, and insure that there shall be no delay that can be avoided. We have news from Winchester of the 21st, by telegraph from Staunton, to-day: "The enemy crossed 10,000 men over the river at Shepherdstown. Was immediately attacked by Jackson's corps and routed. Their loss very heavy, ours slight. Quite a number of arms taken. Jackson recrossed into Maryland. Signed, H. B. Davidson, colonel, Provisional Army of the Confederate States." The New York Herald of last Saturday says they (the enemy), lost 5,000 prisoners at Munfordville, Ky., McClellan's dispatch of Friday last says: "We (the enemy) may safely claim a victory." Rather modest for him, alluding to the fight at Sharpsburg of Wednesday last. The telegram from Davidson is latter. I hope to hear from you often and in detail. Gen. French found the enemy re-enforced at Suffolk and expecting him. Accordingly, under my instructions, most of his forces were withdrawn, leaving only a strong reconnoitering party on the Blackwater and between that point and Suffolk.
Respectfully and truly, yours,
G. W. SMITH,
Maj.-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 628-629, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
