Nathaniel P. Banks to William S. Rosecrans, July 29, 1861

Brigadier-General RosEcRANS, Clarksburg, Va.:

Leave Cox on the Kanawha for the present if he will consent to stay. Portify the Gauley as heretofore proposed; also Cheat Mountain, Huttonsville, and the West Union road. Bring up to Grafton the stores left by the Pennsylvanians (ordered to Harper’s Ferry), or send a detachment to Cumberland or Piedmont.

Sandy Hook, July 29, 1861. Coal. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General:

Two Pennsylvania regiments and one Indiana arrived, making nine war regiments now here. In view of our reduced force and the probabilities of attack, which, however uncertain, can not be disregarded, I have placed our force chiefly on the Maryland side. We are too weak to defend, yet so strong as to make retreat across the ford impossible if necessary. Commanding officers unanimous in recommending this movement. We occupy the town and the heights commanding it absolutely, and with our increasing forces and the immediate erection of a temporary bridge we shall be ready for any movement you may order.

DEPARTMENT OF THE Shenandoah, Harper’s Ferry, Va., July 29, 1861.

Sir: I telegraphed you this morning the position we had taken. Our force was reduced, with the exception of the battery of Major Doubleday, to five or six thousand men. Reports were received constantly ot advancing forces of the rebels, and, although proving in the end to be unfounded, we could not disregard them. So strongly did these rumors come to us, that one of the officers on Saturday evening, at 5.30 o’clock, believed that he saw several regiments crossing the ‘Shenandoah above Keys’ Ford. In momentary expectation of attack, with a force wholly incompetent to defend against any considerable number, we were also compelled to recognize the fact that, with our force of six thousand, and the volunteers whose terms were daily expiring, and more, than three hundred baggage-wagons, it would be utterly impossible to cross by the ferry without destruction. The ferry was likely to be made impassable by threatened rains. We sent our disposable baggage-wagons across on Saturday. Yesterday we moved the chief part of our troops across, taking a very strong position in Pleasant Valley, a little below Sandy Hook. Our troops still occupy the town, and we planted batteries on the plateau opposite the town, and another on the summit of the Maryland Heights, to which there are good mountain roads. These will make the town of Harper’s Ferry and the Loudoun Heights, on the south of the Shenandoah, absolutely untenable to the enemy, whether in large or small force. We are so placed that we can attack the enemy if he advances, support our batteries if assailed, prevent the occupation of the town by the rebels, and secure against all chances our communication with our lines. Every

commanding officer agreed in the necessity of this movement. We here have also good opportunity to organize and discipline our forces.

I have thus stated our position fully, that you may be enabled to change it as the public interests may require. With our increasing forces we shall be able to execute any orders that the Commander-inChief may desire at once. I do not apprehend attack immediately, but we are in readiness.

Captain Reynolds, of the Rhode Island Battery, reached us this morning with his men. Captain Tompkins will be at once relieved. We need very much another rifled gun for Major Doubleday’s battery, in return for which we can send, if necessary, one of the 24-pounder guns.

We have no reliable news of the advance of the rebels. There are some five thousand militia at Winchester, with the sick left by Johnston. Indications of movements in the direction of Leesburg seem more important, but yet not decided.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,