Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/541

This page has been validated.
Reminiscences of Jackson's Valley Campaign.
533


cessary to go further than McGaheysville. It is reported that the enemy is still in that direction.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. J. Jackson, Major-General.

Near Mount Meridian, June 13, 1862.

Colonel—It is important to cut off all communication between us and the enemy. Please require the ambulances to go beyond our lines, and press our lines forward as far as practicable. It is very desirable that we should have New Market, and that no information should pass to the enemy. I expect soon to let you have two companies of cavalry from the Army of the Northwest. I will not be able to leave here to-day, and probably for some time; so you must look out for the safety of your train. Please impress the bearers of the flag of truce as much as possible with an idea of a heavy advance on our part, and let them return under such impression. While it is desirable for us to have New Market, you must judge of the practicability. The only true rule for cavalry is to follow as long as the enemy retreats. Beyond that, of course, you can, under present circumstances, do little or nothing; but every mile that you advance will probably give you additional prisoners, and especially so far as New Market, where you will get command of the road from Keesletown and Columbia bridge. I congratulate you upon your continued success.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. J. Jackson, Major-General.

Press our lines as far as you otherwise would have done before the flag of truce is permitted to pass them.

T. J. J.

Near Weyer's Cave, June 17, 1862.

Colonel T. T. Munford, Commanding Cavalry, Valley District:

Colonel—The arms you spoke of sending have not yet been received. Did you send them here or to Staunton? It is important that you picket from the Blue Ridge to the Shenandoah mountain, or to the mountain west of Harrisonburg. Until further orders, send your dispatches to Brigadier-General C. S. Winder, near Weyer's Cave. Do all you can to cut off communication across the lines between us and the enemy; also let there be as little communication as practicable between your command and that of the infantry. Let your couriers be men whom you can