July 21, 1862 (Tuesday):Jackson Moves West

"Westover"-Harrison's Landing (LOC)

WASHINGTON, VA., July 21, 1862.

Major-General POPE:
    I have just received a dispatch from Colonel Anisansel, First Virginia Cavalry, dated Culpeper, July 21. He says:

    I received orders from General Hatch to strike the Richmond and Gordonsville Railroad in the neighborhood of Louisa Court-House, on Gold Mine Creek, and burn the bridge.

   He started Friday, 3. p. m., with five companies of First Virginia Cavalry; arrived within 4 miles of Louisa Court-House; learned with certainly that Jackson had been there at 2 p. m. Saturday, 19th July. Jackson was received with great rejoicing, and left with 10,000 or 12,000 men by land on the State road for Gordonsville, with a large force of artillery. He left rear guard at Louisa Court-House of 3,500 men and one regiment of cavalry. Colonel Anisansel proceeded to the left of Louisa Court-House, but was informed by prisoners and contrabands that no bridges or culverts were between Gordonsville and Hannover Court-House. He failed in attempting to tear up the track for want of tools and the presence of rebel troops moving on the State road to and from. He reports that he heard the cars running, and a great stirring up was evident on his left, toward Hanover Court-House. He finally made a dash at his right, upon consultation with his officers, to destroy what he could, but encountered a heavy body of cavalry in moving one-half mile, and withdrew slowly, being ordered not to engage the enemy. He thinks they were the first Yankees in that quarter. He says he would have destroyed the bridges had he found them, and ordered officers to go back to the same neighborhood, about 50 miles from Culpeper Court-House, and destroy stores.
    I have not heard of this enterprise from General Hatch, and now received the news direct from Colonel Anisansel. Have sent report of the information relating to the enemy to General McDowell and General Sigel. Your orders to General Hatch have seen forwarded to him at Culpeper.
    No other news of importance.


N. P. BANKS,
Major-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 12, Part 3, Page 492.

Jackson had been detached from Lee's forces at Richmond and was back in the vicinity of Louisa, about 45 miles north and west of Richmond and 35 miles south and east of Fredericksburg.  Lee believed the detachment might prompt the administration to remove McClellan from Richmond if there was a perceived threat to Washington.  But it appears the Unionists had a clear understanding of the relatively small size of Jackson's command and did not take the bait.  In any case, it was necessary to return some force to the area to protect the Virginia Central Railroad, the Confederate supply line to and from the Valley of the Shenandoah.  For now, the standoff continued in front of Richmond.  McClellan remained with 90,000 men in a malarial region, with 16,000 of them reporting sick.  The debate continued as to the next move, McClellan wanting to eventually resume operations and some of his command (such as Keyes) wanting to repair to a more hospitable climate before refitting and resuming the offensive.