To Mary Milroy From RH Milroy May 13 1862

              Camp Near Franklin-Pendleton Co. Va 
                     May 13th, 1862 
 
My Dear Mary, 
                   Gen Fremont having arrived 
today with 10,000 men & relieved us of the heavy 
pressure of the rebel army with whom we have 
been fighting & skirmishing for the last six 
days I sieze the first leisure moment to let 
you hear from me.  On the 4th of May I crossed 
over the Shanendoah from McDowell with three of 
my regiments, one of my batteries & one of my cavalry 
companies & proceeded to within 15 miles of Staunton 
& encamped there for the purpose of observing the 
traitor army under Gen. Johnson.  As I was prohibited by 
Gen. Fremont from attacking then – I left my other three 
Regts. 3 batteries & 3 Cavalry companies at McDowell. 
On the 5th in consequence of orders  recd. from 
Fremont I withdrew my forces to this side of the 
Shanandoah except the 32nd Ohio which I left 
encamped at the foot on the other side as an advance 
picket.  On the 7th the reble army under Gen. Jackson 
& Gen. Johnson having united & formed a force of about 14,000 came 
back & attacked my 32nd Ohio so suddenly that 
they had to fall back leaving their tents & most of 
their baggage – being on this side, I placed Hyman 
battery on Shaws ridge & shelled the rebles so effectively 
as they came over that  they turned back, but observing 
them coming over in heavy force by another track 2 miles to