June 11, 1862

June 11, 1862:　General Robert E. Lee begins plans for his grand strategy, which includes bringing Jackson and his troops east to the Richmond front in an intended move against McClellan.　In a letter written today to Jackson, he outlines his plan:

HEADQUARTERS,
Near Richmond, Va., June 11, 1862.

Brigadier General THOMAS J. JACKSON,
Commanding Valley District:
GENERAL: Your recent successes have been the cause of the liveliest joy in this army as well as in the country. The admiration excited by your skill and boldness has been constantly mingled with solicitude for your situation. The practicability of re-enforcing you has been the subject of earnest consideration. It has been determined to do so at the expense of weakening this army. Brigadier-General Lawton with six regiments from Georgia is on the way to you, and Brigadier-General Whiting with eight veteran regiments leaves here to-day. The object is to enable you to crush the forces opposed to you. Leave your enfeebled troops to watch the country and guard the passes covered by your cavalry and artillery, and with your main body, including Ewell's division and Lawton's and Whiting's commands, move rapidly to Ashland by rail or otherwise, as you may find most advantageous, and sweep down between the Chickahominy and Pamunkey, cutting up the enemy's communications, &c., while this army attacks General McClellan in front.
He will thus, I think, be forced to come out of his intrenchments, where he is strongly posted on the Chickahominy, and apparently preparing to move by gradual approaches on Richmond. Keep me advised of your movements, and, if practicable, precede your troops, that we may confer and arrange for simultaneous attack.
I am, with, great respect, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,
General.
—Gen. Lee sends word to Jackson that a six-regiment brigade of Georgians under Brig. Gen. Lawton are headed his way, in addition to eight more regiments under Gen. Whiting. It is with these reinforcements Lee hopes that Jackson will be able to finish driving Shields and Fremont northward, not being aware that the Federals are retreating on their own.

—Gen. Lee also confers with Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, his Chief of Cavalry, to discuss the idea of a mounted raid around the Union right flank as an a heavy reconnaissance, to find out the Union lines of supply, troop placements, reserve placements and other information. Stuart, apparently, begins planning the raid with greater ambitions in mind.

—In the Valley, Fremont, in Harrisonburg, decides without orders to withdraw farther northward, due to rumors about Jackson’s reinforcements. Fremont pulls back to Mount Jackson. Shields, also wary of Jackson’s growing power, retreats up the Luray Valley, asking for more supplies from Gen. McDowell.

—Still in North Carolina, camped near Newberne, Captain William J. Bolton of the 51^st Pennsylvania Infantry, writes in his journal:
Company and regimental drills and dress parade. Not feeling very well. The camp is full of green snakes, and the boys are kept busy killing them. the county around the camp abounds in blackberries, mountain plums, grapes and mulberries. There is also plenty of eggs, poultry and milk to be had at fare prices, and consequently we are all living grand.

—Young Lt. Josiah Marshall Favill, of the 57^th New York Infantry, with McClellan’s Army of the Potomac, writes in his journal of an event that has become much too common: the false alarm:
At three this morning I got up and routed out the company officers, then formed the regiment on the color line, where we remained for two hours. No drums, bugles, or bands are allowed to play, so we are obliged to go amongst the men to wake them up, and give the orders; an adjutant’s duty just now is more arduous than ornamental. Many reports of possible movements, but nothing intelligent. McClellan seems to be afraid.

—Near Montgomery, Kentucky, there is a sharp skirmish between Southern bushwhackers and a small party of Union troops.