STONEWALL JACKSON TACTICAL LETTER FROM THE BATTLEFIELD AT SWIFT RUN GAP.
JACKSON, THOMAS JONATHAN 'STONEWALL.' 1824-1863. Autograph Letter Signed ('T.J. Jackson') from the field, to Brig General Edward Johnson 1 p, 8vo (243 x 189 mm), ink on lined paper, Swift Run Gap [Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley], '7:30 a.m.,' April 27, 1862, receipt docketed to the verso, mounted inside larger sheet.

TACTICAL LETTER FROM STONEWALL JACKSON TO BRIGADIER GENERAL EDWARD JOHNSON AT SWIFT RUN GAP. From his strategic position at Swift Run Gap, Jackson seeks to unify his small force with Johnson's, in order to continue to distract and siphon Union forces from the Richmond front. Making use of the information gleaned here, Jackson submitted three strategic options to Robert E. Lee on April 29. Ewell would move his forces to Swift Run Gap and Jackson would begin moving East, only to load his troops on trains and head back toward Staunton. When he arrived Johnson was already engaging the enemy from a position at McDowell which did not allow Jackson's artillery to engage. While the Confederates won the battle, forcing Milroy's retreat, they suffered heavy losses in comparison to the Union forces. However, they still accomplished the objective of keeping Union forces occupied away from Richmond. Salient tactical letters from Stonewall Jackson are very rare, particularly those from his brilliant Valley Campaign in the Shenandoah.
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