Fauquier May 22nd 64
Genl. R. E. Lee
Comdg. A. N. V.
Genl.
I recd your dispatches of the 14th & 19th inst. I had already partially anticipated your wishes as early as 11th I attacked one of their trains, on the Belle Plains road capturing about one hundred horses, & a number of prisoners. I attempted it again on the 18th with a larger force but found that the enemy had disposed their pickets all along the road in such a manner that in such an open country as that rendered the enterprise impracticable they brought out a large force of infantry & cavalry against me & I did well to make my escape a small force however (say fifteen or twenty men) might effect something by way of our annoying them. My command has not been idle however. At various points from Martinsburg to Strausburg we have dealt such blows to Sigel’s communication that Secty Stanton in his official bulletin says have compelled him to detach half his force to guard his rear. yesterday by I swam the Shenandoah & attacked a cavalry outpost, capturing a captain, fifteen men & seventy horses with arms equipment &c. Of these various affairs will be only furnished. In addition to other difficulties I have no guide for Stafford County & it is impossible to subsist men or horses there. I will do whatever I can in that direction. About two regiments of this militia have gone up to reinforce Sigel. The enemy has commenced repairing the Aquia Railroad. This will be handed to you by my ordnance Sergant who goes over to procure ammunition. I start on an expedition tomorrow to strike the B&O Railroad in the meantime I will send down a servt in the neighborhood of Aquia to ascertain at what point I can successfully strike the enemy.
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
Jno. S. Mosby
Lt. Col.
Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 8, M2009.313, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2015 October 16
