As I have said in almost every letter I have ever written you from
this quarter, the general cry is “We want more troops in the Valley.”
An application, as I stated, has been made to Secretary Stanton, and
I understand it is now to be backed by the urgent persuasions of two
other members of the Cabinet, who are convinced of the insufficiency
of the force in this section.
A small portion of the force here has been sent to Hagerstown,
Williamsport and Martinsburg, to guard those points, and I think the
movement is a very wise one. The 84th Ohio Regiment, one of the new
Regiments, has arrived at Cumberland, and it will probably take the
place of some of those more experienced, and act as post garrisons,
while those heretofore engaged in that duty will be called to more
active service.
Rumors are abroad as to the expected arrival of a portion of General
Halleck’s force in this quarter, but I can see no reliable foundation
for the rumor.