Headquarters of the Forces,
Richmond, Va., July 16, 1861
Brig. Gen. H. R. Jackson, Monterey, Va.:
General: In the dispatch of the 14th instant you were directed to take command of the available troops of the Northwestern Army, and oppose the advance of the enemy. I infer, from your dispatch from Monterey of this date, that our troops have retreated to that point. It is important that the passes of the Cheat Mountain, or at least those of the Alleghany, should if practicable, be defended, to prevent the advance of the enemy by the road through Huntersville to Jackson’s River and Millborough, where he would obtain command of the Virginia Central Railroad. Re-enforcements for the Northwest are collecting at Staunton and I shall leave here on the 18th instant to join them.
Respectfully,
R E Lee
General, Commanding
Source: The War of the Rebellion, Series, Volume 2, p. 254
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2017 November 13
