HEADQUARTERS VALLEY DISTRICT
Romney, Va., January 17, 1862.

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON
Commanding Department of Northern Virginia:

GENERAL: Your letter of the l6th is at hand, and I hasten to reply that I have not enough troops for the proper defense of this district, as from the most reliable information that I have recently received the enemy’s force in and about Cumberland is near 12,000—in Hancock 2,000, in Hagerstown 2,000, and in Fredericktown 8,000. Of the force in Williamsport I am not so well informed, but there is reason to believe that it is larger than in Hancock.

General Loring’s command has not all arrived here from Morgan, but so soon as it does I hope to be able to leave him with his command to occupy the valley of the South Branch, while Garnett’s brigade will return to Winchester and near Centreville, should you so direct; but in my opinion it should not go farther than Winchester, if the enemy are to be kept out of this district. Since leaving Winchester General Loring’s command has become very much demoralized.

I have taken special pains to obtain information respecting General Banks, but I have not been informed of his having gone east. I will see what can be effected through the Catholic priests in Martinsburg.

I am establishing lines of couriers through this district. From Winchester I can send dispatches to Leesburg in three hours. I have thought that if you had a line of couriers between Leesburg and Manassas no additional one for carrying dispatches between Manassas and Winchester would be necessary; but should you desire an additional line, please indicate the route and I will have it established immediately.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. J. JACKSON,
Major-General, Commanding.