Historical Note: Jackson to Dept. of Northern Virginia - Jan. 16, 1862

As THE WINTER WAR command simulation enters the third day of campaigning, the date in the simulation is January 16, 1862.  In the simulation, Garnett's Brigade arrived in Romney on January 15, corresponding (by chance) to when it arrived historically. Units of the Army of the Northwest, however, were a day earlier than their historical arrival into Romney, as seen in the correspondence from Jackson below. (They must have encamped at Frenchburg.) In Jackson's correspondence to the Department of Northern Virginia, he describes difficult conditions and a plan to have the Army of the Northwest units remain in Romney, as Garnett's "Stonewall" Brigade returns to Winchester. In hindsight, this would eventually become a sore point between Brig. Gen. Loring and Jackson and create friction between the units from the Army of the Northwest and those from the Valley District.

The correspondence below is found in The Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 5, Chap. 14

HEADQUARTERS VALLEY DISTRICT,

Romney, Va., January 16, 1862.

Maj. THOMAS G. RHETT,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Hdqrs. Dept. of Northern Virginia:

MAJOR: In consequence of the weather and bad condition of the roads none of General Loring’s command has yet arrived here, though last night the head of the column encamped only 8 miles distant. Garnett’s brigade arrived yesterday. At last accounts the enemy were crossing the Potomac into Maryland on the railroad bridge below Cumberland. Their force in and about Cumberland is from last information about 11,000; at Hancock, 2,000; at Hagerstown, 2,000; at Fredericktown, 8,000. I have not succeeded in obtaining definite information as to the number in Williamsport.

Unless otherwise directed, I will proceed to construct winter quarters, and will station General Loring’s troops and General Boggs militia brigade in the South Branch Valley; General Garnett’s brigade at Winchester; General Carson’s brigade at Bath, and General Meem’s brigade at Martinsburg. The cavalry will be distributed along the northern frontier at various points.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. J. JACKSON,

Major-General, P. A. C. S., Commanding.