Summary:
Confederate General Jubal Early writes from Staunton to Robert E. Lee to discuss
December, 1863, cavalry action in western Virginia.
Gen. R. E. LEE:
Staunton,
December 20, 1863.
I am just in from Millborough. Averell with main body of his forces and his artillery escaped by way of Covington on Rich Patch route. Jackson's force captured about 200 prisoners and some ambulances; 2,700 men reported cut off from main body. Jackson himself reported captured, but hope not true. But for incorrect information from Lynchburg that Averell had returned to Salem, Fitz. Lee would have been in position to capture his whole force. I endeavor to get out by Warm Springs with infantry, but delay so great on railroad that I was too late. Enemy's force at Strasburg has advanced to Harrisonburg and I am going now to drive it back. No news from Rosser.
J. A. EARLY,
Maj.-Gen.
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 805, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
