April 18, 1862 (Wednesday): Lee Moves His Chess Pieces

View from Swift Run Gap.

HEADQUARTERS,
Richmond, Va., April 18, 1862. 

Brigadier General EDWARD JOHNSON,
Commanding Shenandoah Mountain:
    GENERAL: I have received information that General Jackson has fallen back to Big Spring, some 9 miles from New Market, and that the enemy is still pressing him in the direction of Staunton. If he is forced to continue to retire he will do so by way of Swift Run Gap, in order to form a junction with the forces of General Ewell and hold the Blue Ridge Mountains at that place. You are directed to keep yourself in communication with General Jackson and regulate your movements by those he may be forced to make. If he is compelled to retire to Swift Run Gap it will be necessary for you to move to Staunton; and should you find the enemy marching in too strong force for you to resist upon that place, you must retire toward Waynesborough and endeavor to hold the passage through the Blue Ridge Mountains. In view of these contingencies it is advisable that you send all your heavy baggage and surplus stores at once to Charlottesville, keeping your force light and movable, so that if the necessity to retire should arise you could do so without incumbrance and preserve a firm face to the enemy. You might keep a small active force at your present position as long as you deem prudent, in order to make the movement of your army from the enemy in your front.
   I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,



   R. E. LEE,
   General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 12, Part 3, Page 854.

Jackson is justifiably given credit for the rapid movements and combinations which checked Union movements in the Valley in the spring of 1862.  Often ignored, though, is the role played by Robert E. Lee as military adviser to Jefferson Davis.  He coordinated with Jackson, Johnson, and Ewell as well as Joe Johnston and kept the three small commands working in sync.  A portion of the credit for the Valley Campaign is Lee's.