December 17, 1861 (Monday): Holding the Monterey Line

Brigadier General Edward Johnson

                                                HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHWEST,

                                                                                    Stuanton, Va., December 17, 1861.

Col. E. JOHNSON,

       Commanding Forces on Monterey Line, Virginia:

   COLONEL:  General Orders, No. 17, from these headquarters* as far as they are applicable to your command, are revoked.  Instructions have been given to forward to you supplies, with those now on hand, sufficient for two months.

   It is the intention to hold Alleghany Pass and the country in its vicinity, and you will please dispose of your command with a view thereto.  Circumstances, however, may render it advisable to detach it for service with the forces now moving towards Winchester, and the general desires that you will keep it constantly and fully prepared for such an emergency.

 

*                  *                      *                       *                      *                     *                *

      I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

                                                                                    C. L. STEVENSON,

                                                                                               Adjutant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 5, Page 1001

*Not Found

Johnson was a week away from being promoted to Brigadier-General.  The Alleghany Pass would be a hard place to pass the winter, but for now the Confederates wanted to keep a force on the Union line of communication via the Parkersburg Turnpike.  The forces moving toward Winchester refer to Jackson’s command.