Summary:
Confederate General John Vaughn writes Secretary of War James Seddon in June, 1864, to inform him of the dire situation in the Shenandoah Valley. He says that he believes Staunton cannot be held.

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HDQRS.,

Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War:

Fisherville,

June 5, 1864--10 p. m. (Via Waynesborough.)

I have returned to this point. Artillery and wagon trains safe. My command is much scattered. The enemy is pursuing. I fear I will be forced to leave the Valley. Staunton cannot be held. Crook is said to be advancing from the west, some twenty miles distant. The battle was fought to-day at Piedmont. The enemy's strength not less than 9,000 or 10,000 infantry, heavy force of cavalry, and thirty pieces of artillery.

J. C. VAUGHN,
Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.

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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 51, Serial No. 108, Pages 990, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.