Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Thomas Jonathan Jackson

Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Thomas Jonathan Jackson

Letter from Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Thomas Jonathan Jackson, January 28, 1862
Headquarters, Centreville,

January 28, 1862.

Major-General Jackson,

Commanding Valley District, Winchester.

General: I have to-day received your letters of 21st and 24th.

I regret to be unable to reënforce you. May not your own cavalry -- Colonel Ashby's regiment -- be concentrated and used for the purpose for which you apply to me for cavalry?
[p. 475]
I am an enemy to much distribution of troops. May not yours be brought together -- so posted, that is to say, that you may be able to assemble them all to oppose an enemy coming from Harper's Ferry, Williamsport, or the northwest?

Should the report given by General Hill prove to be correct, it would be imprudent, it seems to me, to keep your troops dispersed as they now are. Do you not think so? The enemy might not only prevent yours concentrating, but interpose himself between us, which we must never permit.

Most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. E. Johnston, General