Abraham Lincoln to Major-General George B. McClellan, May 25, 1862 – 8:30 p.m.

(Send in Cypher).

War Department

Washington City, D.C.

May 25. 1862 8½ P.M.

Major Gen. McClellan

Your despatch received. Banks was at Strausburg with about six-thousand men, Shields having been taken from him to swell a column for McDowell to aid you at Richmond, and the rest of his force scattered at various places. On the 23rd. a rebel force of seven to ten thousand fell upon one regiment and two companies guarding the bridge at Front-Royal, destroying it entirely, crossed the Shenandoah, and on the 24th. (yesterday) pushed to get North of Banks on the Road to Winchester. Banks ran a race with them, beating them into Winchester yesterday evening. This morning a battle ensued between the two forces in which Banks was beaten back into full retreat towards Martinsburg, and probably is broken up into a total route. Geary, on the Manassas Gap R.R. just now reports that Jackson is now near Front-Royal with ten thousand following up & supporting as I understand, the force now pursuing Banks. Also that another force of ten thousand is near Orleans following on in the same direction. Stripped bare, as we are here, it will be all we can do to prevent them crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, or above. We have about twenty thousand of McDowell's force moving back to the vicinity of Front Royal; and Gen. Fremont, who was at Franklin, is moving to Harrisonburg, both these movements intended to get in the enemies rear. One more of McDowells Brigades is ordered through here to Harper's Ferry. The rest of his force remains, for the present, at Fredericksburg.  We are sending such regiments and dribs from here and Baltimore, as we can spare, to Harper's Ferry, supplying their places, in some sort, by calling in Militia from the adjacent States. We also have eighteen cannon on the road to Harper's Ferry of which arm, there is not a single one yet at that point. This is now our situation. If McDowell's force was now beyond our reach, we should be utterly helpless. Apprehension of something like this, and no unwillingness to sustain you, has always been my reason for withholding McDowells force from you. Please understand this, and do the best you can with the force you have.

A. LINCOLN

SOURCES: Roy P. Basler, editor, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 5, p. 236-7; a copy of this letter can be found in The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress; Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 264

General Robert E. Lee to Charlotte Wickham Lee, July 26, 1863

CAMP CULPEPER, 26th July, 1863.

I received last night, my darling daughter, your letter of the 18th from Hickory Hill. I was also glad to hear from M. S. that you accompanied your mother from Ashland on the 22d, I presume on your way to the Alum Springs. I hope the water and mountain air will invigorate you and make you well. You must not be sick while F. is away or he will be more restless under his separation. Get strong and healthy by his return that he may the more rejoice at the sight of you. You give such an account of yourself that I scarcely recognize you. What sort of a closet is that to which you compare yourself? I see no resemblance, and will have none. I can appreciate your distress at F.'s situation. I deeply sympathize with it, and in the lone hours of the night I groan in sorrow at his captivity and separation from you. But we must all bear it, exercise all our patience, and do nothing to aggravate the evil. This, besides injuring ourselves, would rejoice our enemies, and be sinful in the eyes of God. In His own good time He will relieve us, and make all things work together for our good, if we give Him our love and place in Him our trust. I can see no harm that will result from Fitzhugh's capture except his detention. I feel assured that he will be well attended to. He will be in the hands of old army officers, and surgeons, most of whom are men of principle and humanity. His wound I understand had not been injured by his removal, but is doing well. Nothing would do him more harm than for him to learn that you were sick and sad. How could he get well? So cheer up and prove your fortitude and patriotism. What, too, should I do? I cannot bear to think of you except as I have always known you — bright, joyous, and happy. You may think of Fitzhugh and love him as much as you please, but do not grieve over him or grow sad. That will not be right, you precious child. I hope I shall be able to see you on your return from the Springs, and be able to welcome Fitzhugh too. I miss him very much, and want his assistance too. Perhaps I should have been able to have done better in Pennsylvania if he had been with me. . . . General Stuart is as dashing as ever. Colonel Chambliss commands F.'s brigade now. The cavalry has had hard service and is somewhat pulled down. But we shall build it up now. It has lost some gallant officers which causes me deep grief. Indeed the loss of our gallant officers and men throughout the army causes me to weep tears of blood and to wish that I never could hear the sound of a gun again. My only consolation is that they are the happier and we that are left are to be pitied.

I am sorry for the disappointment I caused you by returning to Virginia, but under the circumstances it was the best to be done. Had not the Shenandoah been so high, I should have gone into Loudoun, but being unable to cross it, I determined to come here. You must think of me, and pray for me always, and know that I am always thinking of you. I am so sorry that the enemy treated my dear Uncle Williams so badly. I also grieve at not seeing M. Good-by, my dear child. May God in His great mercy guard and protect you and your dear husband! I saw Mrs. Hill today and she inquired very kindly after you and Fitzhugh.

Your affectionate papa,

R. E. LEE.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 277-8

From Fremont’s Army

STRASBURG, May 16.

Yesterday morning a band of guerillas made a dash on the railroad beyond Front Royal, and killed one man and took fourteen prisoners – all belonging to the 28th Pennsylvania.

The railroad bridge, 50 feet high and 850 feet long, over the north fork of the Shenandoah was completed to-night.  The track will be laid and trains will pass tomorrow.  The work was constructed in 48 hours, under the superintendence of G. D. Nagle, Government bridge builder.

All is quiet in front to-night.  It is currently reported that Milroy and Schenck are in occupation of Staunton.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 1

Skirmish near the Shenandoah

NEW MARKET, Va., May 8.

Yesterday p. m. the rebel pickets above Columbia bridge, on the east side of the Shenandoah, were driven back by detachments under Col. Foster, who was subsequently abuscaded by two rebel regiments.  The action lasted an hour, when Col. Foster withdrew in good order.  The enemy did not pursue.  A company of Vermont cavalry was cut off and surrounded, but escaped by swimming the river.

The enemy’s loss is not stated, except seven prisoners belonging to the 6th VA and 7th La., which indicates that the enemy’s force was of Ewell’s brigade.  This morning twelve of our men were reported missing.

It is reported here that a skirmish occurred yesterday near Staunton, between Milroy’s advance and Edward Johnson’s command.  The latter was repulsed and retreated.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 2

From Harper’s Ferry

A FORWARD MOVEMENT.

BOLIVAR, JEFFERSON CO., NEAR BALTIMORE, Feb. 28. – Since Monday night Harper’s Ferry and its vicinity have changed hands.  Our advance guard, consisting of the 28th Pennsylvania regiment, passed over the Potomac from Sandy Hook to Harper’s Ferry before day break on Monday morning by a rope ferry, and took possession of the town next day.  Ample provision for transporting troops over the river was provided, and our advanced guard considerably reinforced.

Bolivar and Charleston and a considerable portion of the country on both banks of the Shenandoah are now occupied by our troops.  Except about twenty of the enemy, which were captured, they all retired on the approach of the army.

The people in this town and neighboring places which our troops have occupied, where in a condition bordering on starvation.  There are comparatively few of the inhabitants remaining here now, and they all profess Union sentiments and great delight at being relieved from the thralldom which has oppressed them for the last six months.  Many refugees are returning.

The right wing of the army has considerably curtailed the Rebel territory in Virginia, and made a foothold for itself which all power of the rebellion cannot wrest from it.

The enemy have made sad havoc among the residences of the town where since the departure of our troops.

So far no opposition has been given to our advance, not a hostile shot having been fired.

Gen. Banks has established his headquarters on the road from Harper’s Ferry to Bolivar.

The enemy shelled a train to-day at Berlin as they were passing down to Bolivar, but their piece was bad and out of twelve shots fired only two exploded, and neither did damage.

The plans of Gen. McClellan are being rapidly unfolded and you may rely upon it, from my own personal observations that the young Chieftain is laboring to crush the monster rebellion.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

The Battle At Front Royal

BALTIMORE, May 26 – The following is the statement of Capt. Geo. Smith, in the first regiment who succeeded in effecting his escape in the fight at Front Royal about one o’clock in the afternoon.

A negro mounted upon horseback came dashing into camp crying out that the rebels were coming in great numbers, and they will surround you and cut you off.  At first the men laughed at him saying they had waited so long for them that they did not believe a word of it.  As soon  however as Col. Kenly saw the man he became satisfied of their approach, the long roll was beaten and the men responded by springing hastily to arms and forming in line by companies.  Very soon the rebels made their appearance and strange to say not a single gun was fired by the pickets of the 1^st regiment.  It may have been in consequence of sudden turn in the road and they were surprised and captured.  Company A was ordered to deploy as skirmishers and support a section of Knapp’s Pennsylvania battery, in the meantime the Lieut. Col. of the 29^th infantry with a small detachment of his men who had been acting as a _____ corps also formed and prepared to receive the enemy, the battery was soon engaged and discharged shot and shell for near two hours until nearly all its ammunition had been expended, the firing was spirited and there is no doubt of its efficiency.  Unable however to withstand such an overwhelming force the order was given to retire which was done and the entire column moved over the Shenandoah river, the retreat being covered by a company of the 5^th New York Cavalry about eighty strong.

Whilst passing over the bridge the Captain distinctly saw the rebel forces.  There was a very strong column of cavalry, say four squadrons – eight companies – and five regiments of infantry.  Of this two squadrons of cavalry were fording the stream – the water being very low.  The order to double quick was given and the Federals took to the pike, where another stand was made.  Col. Kenley addressed the men and told them that their only chance was to stand and fight to the last as the rebel cavalry were fast pushing on and displayed a black flag.  Capt. Smith states that he did not see them display the white flag.

A second stand was made, and many shots exchanged when the New York cavalry, still in the rear of the column broke and retired, riding through the ranks of the infantry.  A part of the Maryland command retired to a wheat field and there made another stand firing rapidly and with deliberate decision.  Presently on came the rebel cavalry cutting right and left yelling like Indians.  In some instances neither the dying nor the wounded were spared and in two instances the Captain saw the rebels draw their pistols and shoot them in the head whilst laying on the roadside.  The Captain told the men they had better escape as best they could.

There were but six companies of the regiment engaged in the fight, the remaining four being on picket duty as provost guard at Front Royal.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 4

Gen. Banks Crosses the Potomac

BOLIVAR, Jefferson Co., Va., via

BALTIMORE, Feb. 28.

Since Monday night Harper’s Ferry and its vicinity have changed hands.  Our advance guard, consisting of the 28^th Pennsylvania regiment, passed over the Potomac from Sandy Hook to Harper’s Ferry before daybreak on Monday morning, by a rope ferry, and took possession of the town next day.  Ample provision for transporting troops over the river was provided.  Our advance guard was considerably reinforced.

Bolivar and Charleston, and a considerable portion of the country on the north bank of the Shenandoah, are now occupied by our troops.  Except about twenty of the enemy, who were captured, they all retired on the approach of our troops.  The people in this town and the neighboring places, which our troops have occupied, were in a condition bordering on starvation. – There are comparatively few inhabitants remaining here now, and they all profess Union sentiments and great delight at being relieved from the thraldom which has oppressed them for the last six months. – Many refugees are returning.

The right wing of the army has considerably curtailed the rebel territory in Virginia, and made a foothold for itself which all the power of the rebellion cannot wrest from it.

The enemy have mad sad havoc among residences of the Union people here, since the departure of our troops.  So far no opposition has been given to our advance, not a hostile shot being fired.

Gen. Banks has established his headquarters on the road from Harper’s Ferry to Bolivar.

The enemy shelled the trains to-day at Berlin, as they were passing down to Baltimore, but their practice was bad, and out of 12 shots fired only 2 of them exploded, and none of them did any damage.

The plans of Gen. McClellan are being rapidly unfolded, and you may rely upon it from my own personal observation, that the brave young chieftain is diligently, as well skillfully laboring to crush the monster rebellion at the earliest moment.

BOLIVAR, Md., Feb. 28.

The army of Gen. Banks occupied Harper’s Ferry unopposed on Wednesday, with necessaries for a permanent occupation.  The advance took possession of Bolivar Heights yesterday, and pushed a reconnoisance to Charleston, capturing a few prisoners.  London Heights are also occupied by a strong force, and will be held against any attack.  The plans of the commanders are not know[n], but the movement is probably to cover the reconstruction of the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. bridges, and may mean more.  The troops are in excellent condition and well protected from the inclement weather.  No accident occurred in transporting the troops and supplies over the river.  The pontoon bridge was a complete success.

Hundreds of refugees have returned to their desolated homes, and those remaining are overjoyed at our presence.

Nothing reliable has been heard from Winchester, but current reports say it has been considerably reinforced.

A small body of the enemy are supposed to be south of London Heights, four our five miles back of the river, but not sufficient in strength to cause any alarm.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 3, 1862, p. 1

From Virginia

STRASBURGH, May 16. – Yesterday afternoon a band of guerrillas made a dash on the railroad and killed one and took fourteen prisoners all belonging to the 28^th Pennsylvania.

The Railroad Bridge, 50 feet high and 350 feet long, over the north fork of the Shenandoah was completed tonight.  The track will be laid and trains will pass to-morrow morning.  The work was constructed in forty hours under the superintendence of G. W. Nagle, Government Bridge Builder.

All is quiet in front to-night.

It is currently reported that Milroy and Schenck are in occupation of Staunton.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4