29 May 1862: “the commanding General does not seem it necessary to invoke the troops of this Army to emulate the deeds of their noble comrades in the valley”

Item description: Official copy, dated 29 May 1862, of General Orders, No. 58, celebrating the Confederate victory at the First Battle of Winchester, part of Stonewall Jackson’s campaign through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Item citation: From folder 23 of the William Nelson Pendleton Papers, #1466, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Head Quarters Dept. Northern Virginia
Richmond May 29th 1862

General Orders }
No. 58

The commanding General has the satisfaction to announce to the army another brilliant success, won by the skill and courage of our Generals and troops in the valley.

The combined divisions of Maj. Genls. Jackson & Ewell commanded by the former and constituting a part of this army, after a long, arduous and rapid march, attacked and routed the Federal forces under Major General Banks, successively at Front Royal, Middleburg, and Winchester, taking several thousand of prisoners and an immense quantity of Ammunition and stores of all descriptions. The Federal army has been dispersed and driven ignominously from the valley of the Shenandoah, and those who have freed the loyal citizens of that district, by their patriotic valor, have again earned, as they will receive the thanks of a grateful country.

In making this glorious announcement on the eve of the desperate struggle about to ensue, the commanding General does not seem it necessary to invoke the troops of this Army to emulate the deeds of their noble comrades in the valley, He feels already assured of their determined purpose to make illustrations in history the part they are soon to act in the impending drama.

By Comd. Genl. Johnston
(signed)
Thos. G. Rhett
A.A. Genl.

Official
Sam. W. Melton
Maj. & A.A. Genl.
Brig. Genl. W.N. Pendleton

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