Summary:
Confederate General Henry Wise reports to Robert E. Lee on the actions of his troops in West Virginia in August, 1861. Wise reports that he is lacking supplies, and says he sent to Staunton for tents, clothes, shoes, and transportation.

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HDQRS. WISE'S BRIGADE,

Gen. R. E. LEE, Cmdg., & c.:

White Sulphur Springs, Va.,

August 6, 1861.

GEN.:

Having an opportunity, by a messenger of Gen. Loring's camp, I report to you that Gen. Floyd is within 2 miles of me, encamped. He will see me here this evening. I have not seen him as yet. He is reported to me by Col. Tompkins as well equipped. I am not far from it. All I had is worn out, and we need almost everything, especially tents, clothing, shoes, and means of transportation. To obtain these, I have sent to Staunton, and it will take at least two weeks from this time for me to be anything like prepared for marching. I informed you last evening of reported positions of the enemy. My cavalry will scout him from Hommony to Cherry Tree River. I venture to suggest that Gen. Loring's scouts might meet mine at Beaver or Cherry Tree. If Gen. Floyd can be ordered to guard New River and turnpike between Gauley and Lewisburg, I can throw my forces in between Huntersville and Gauley.

Respectfully,

HENRY A. WISE,
Brig.-Gen.

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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 5, Serial No. 5, Pages 773, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.