Baltimore, MD
July 11th, 1863
Hon. E.M. Stanton
Secretary of War
Dear Sir,
I think I have not
been mistaken in counting you among my
friends. I feel certain that no true friend of the
Union would be my enemy if he could look into
my heart. But after being constantly with my
Command and placed in arrest like a common
felon, my official report, which went forward
to General Hallock several days ago, will show
you that I acted in strict (stricken: accordance) confor-
mity to orders, in remaining at Winchester as
long as I did. I felt certain that Gen. Hooker
would watch and hold in check Gen. Lee’s army
and it was my duty to watch the forces in the
Shenandoah Valley to protect the B.& O. RR
as long as possible. The Blue Ridge screened
the mighty army of Lee from my view. And being
fully employed with my little command, of less than
7,000 in watching the enemy in front & not deceiving
it my duty to watch Lee I knew nothing of his approach
Handwritten; 1 sheet double folded, 4 sides of writing; white stationery with light blue lines
Type
Text
Rights
This item is owned by the Jasper County Public Library. Permission to publish or reproduce this item is required and must be obtained from the Director of the Jasper County Public Library, Rensselaer, Indiana. Please visit www.myjcpl.org for more information.
This item is owned by the Jasper County Public Library. Permission to publish or reproduce this item is required and must be obtained from the Director of the Jasper County Public Library, Rensselaer, Indiana. Please visit www.myjcpl.org for more information.
