The following early-war letter was written by James N. Ramsey, the Colonel commanding the 1st Georgia Volunteer Infantry regiment not long after joining General Robert S. Garnett’s forces in the Army of the Northwest in West Virginia. After Garnett was killed in the closing phases of the Battle of Corrick’s Ford, Ramsey (though very ill at the time) assumed command of the army, and led his hungry and exhausted troops to Montgomery, Virginia, where they were reinforced. Ramsey wrote the letter to his commanding officer, Brig. Gen. Henry Rootes Jackson.

The “Petersburg” mentioned in this letter refers to the county seat of Grant county in what is now West Virginia.

Transcription

Franklin [now West Virginia]
July 17, 1861

General Jackson,

I have reports from my scouts that they were fired upon by about twenty of the enemy’s cavalry at Petersburg, 12 o’clock today. I presume, if the report be true, a column of infantry is in rear pursuing so I shall have to keep the artillery and cavalry with me. They however cannot move any faster than the remainder of the army. Lieut. Washington will give you full particulars as he has been an active participant in that that concerned the fight & retreat. Would you not do well to met me with fresh cavalry and infantry this side your camp some five miles. I learn there is a path from which the enemy may attack us. Very respectfully, — J. N. Ramsey, Col. Commanding

To H. R. Jackson, Brig. Gen., Commanding [Army of the] N. W.