April 27, 1864 (Thursday): Longstreet of the Valley?

"Shenandoah Valley" (William Lewis Sonntag)

CULPEPER, VA., April 27, 1864-1.30 p.m.
(Received 3.20 p.m.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
Chief of Staff:
     There are rumors brought in by deserters that Longstreet, re-enforced by Beauregard's troops, will move down the Shenandoah Valley. Should they do so, throw all the force as necessary. If such a movement is commenced by the enemy after we start from here I will follow him with force enough to prevent his return south.


     U. S. GRANT,
     Lieutenant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 33, Part 1, Page 992.

The Confederate high command had considered any number of options.  But it was now a settled issue.  Longstreet's troops, moving from Charlottesville, were now beginning to rejoin Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.  Beauregard was giving up troops from the coast of South Carolina, given the weather made campaigning there difficult he was able to let some troops go.