December 16, 1863 (Wednesday): Early Enters the Valley

Luray, Virginia (1910)

STAUNTON, December 16, 1863-7.30 a. m.
Major W. H. TAYLOR,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
     I arrived here at 1 a. m. Imboden at the foot of North Mountain, six miles beyond Buffalo Gap. Averell reported crossing Warm Springs Mountain in the direction of Millborough. The force of Strasburg same as last reports represented, 1,800, but no indications of a movement in this direction. Fitz. Lee is here. Shenandoah too high to cross low down. It may be necessary to send Fitz. Lee to prevent an advance by Averell on Lexington or Fincastle. Stuart had perhaps better make a demonstration in favor of Rosser. At any rate, the gaps leading to the Page Valley had better be watched, to prevent Rosser being hemmed in on the east side of the Shenandoah. I shall leave in a few minutes for Buffalo Gap.


      J. A. EARLY,
      Major-General.

      [Indorsement.]

Respectfully submitted for the information of Lieutenant-General Ewell. General Stuart has been requested to have the passages leading into PAGE Valley watched.
     Respectfully,


    W. H. TAYLOR,
    Assistant Adjutant-General.

Official Records, Series. I., Vol. 52, Part 1, Page 797.

Averell was operating out of West Virginia, making probing raids into the Shenandoah Valley.  Early had moved Imboden west of Stanton and Averall was reported operating west of Lexington.  Page Valley was a small valley centered around Luray, Virginia between the Massanutten and Blue Ridge.