Today in History:

663 Series I Volume XXIX-II Serial 49 - Bristoe, Mine Run Part II

Page 663 Chapter XLI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.- CONFEDERATE.

SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS, August 23, 1863.

Colonel W. H. BROWNE,

Little Levels, Pocahontas County, Va.:

COLONEL: I have just received a dispatch from Colonel Jackson, dated yesterday. He was at Gatewood's house, on Back Creek, 12 or 15 miles from Huntersville, on the road to Warm Springs. He left two companies at his old camp, 3 miles from Huntersville, on same road. He thinks this move of the enemy was designed to surround and capture him, and not to make a raid on Staunton. Colonel Jackson has a strong position on Back Creek, and expresses entire confidence in his ability to hold it, if attacked. He was skirmishing all day Friday, the 21st, with the enemy on Knapp's Creek. If the enemy attempts to move on Colonel Jackson by the road from Huntersville to Warm Springs (he thinks they are moving both by the Knapp's Creek and Back Creek roads), I think you can get in their rear, and you and Jackson together, perhaps, capture them.

It is impossible at thie distance, and without full knowledge of the enemy's movements and strength, to give minute instructions. I trust with confidence to your own judgment to profit by any opportunity that offers to punish the enemy.

I do not think that Averell had more than 1,200 or 1,300 cavalry. If he has divided that force and is moving by the two routes, as Colonel Jackson says, you will be fully able to manage the column nearest you.

Communicate fully with Colonel Jackson, and co- operate with him. I believe you rank him, but unless the two commands actually come together, there need be no question of rank raises. Colonel Jackson has served long in that section of country and knows it well.

I trust that you two will so manage as to punish the enemy severely before they extricate themselves from the montainous country into which they have penertated.

Communicate with me freely by way of Lewisburg.

Very respectfully, &c.,

SAM. JONES,

Major- General, Commanding Dept. of Western Virginia.

SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS, August 23, 1863.

Lieutenant- Colonel DERRICK,

Commanding, &c.:

COLONEL: The major- general commanding directs that you move without delay, with your whole command, transportation, &c., to Greenbrier Bridge, and there await further orders.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, &c.,

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant- General.

SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS, August 23, 1863.

Colonel W. L. JACKSON,

Back Creek, Bath County:

COLONEL: I received this morning, between 8 and 9 o'clock, your dispatch of yesterday.


Page 663 Chapter XLI. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.- CONFEDERATE.