Centreville, February 14, 1862

Centreville, February 14, 1862

 Letter from Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Judah Phillip Benjamin, February 14, 1862
Headquarters Department of Northern Virginia,

Centreville, February 14, 1862.

To the Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War.

Sir: . . . . In a letter dated February 12th, Major-General Jackson informed me that, since the evacuation of Romney by your orders, the United States troops have returned to it; and that the officer commanding at Moorefield reported that the enemy, three thousand strong, were approaching that place.

The reduction of our force by the operation of the furlough system, makes it impracticable to reënforce the Valley district from that of the Potomac.

Most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. E. Johnston, General.