Summary:
Confederate General William Loring reports from Staunton on December, 1861,
actions in western Virginia.
Col. S. COOPER,
Adjutant-Gen., Richmond, Va.
STAUNTON,
December 13, 1861.
GEN.:
I inclose the report of Col. Johnson, which I received to-day. The enemy was informed of our movement, it seems, through deserters, but, as expected, the troops on Alleghany checked and repulsed them with loss. The weather has been so good that they were enabled to attack with their entire force, and will no doubt, as stated by Col. Johnson, endeavor to possess the pass now occupied by us when it is evacuated. In consequence of their formidable appearance, and not being assured of their intention, I have for the time ordered Col. Johnson to remain where he is, and given directions for the command to halt upon this road about 20 miles distant, where it will strike it en route to Strasburg. I expect it there in two or three days. I have arranged the march in case we could not, which was highly desirable, get the use of the rail from here to Strasburg, to march through with our own transportation. It will, of course, delay us. Should the weather shortly take an inclement turn, the enemy may be forced to return to Cheat, and enable us to follow up the design contemplated.
With respect, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
W. W. LORING,
Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 5, Serial No. 5, Pages 459, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
