January 10, 1862 (Thursday): Jackson Loose in Western Virginia

General Frederick W. Lander

                                                                        FREDERICK, January 10, 1862—8:30 p.m.

Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding:

   Dispatch received,*  General Williams telegraphs from General Kelly, 7.30 p.m., that Loring was 18 miles from Romney, Winchester road.  Lander falling back on Cumberland.  Three regiments, one section artillery, marched this morning for Romney.  Two cavalry companies move tonight.  Have ordered him to put so much of his brigade in readiness to march as can be spared.  He has five regiments and four guns.  Fears to part with more artillery.  Can spare infantry.  I think enemy reported at Bath again moving on Hancock; not believed by General Williams.

                                                                                                N. P. BANKS,

                                                                        Major-General, Commanding Division.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 5, Part 1, Page 696.

Having taken Bath on the 4th, Jackson shelled Union forces at Hancock on the 5^th  and 6^th, and withdrew to move on Romney on the 7^th.  On the 10^th Lander fell back on Cumberland (as noted here) and Jackson’s troops took Romney the next day.