January 27, 1865

Merritt, Wesley, 1834-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Marked Confidential at top of first page. Addressed only to Major. Detailed instructions for a secret cavalry movement in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. "The enemy has a force of... not more than two hundred men... picketing across the valley.... The object is to capture this force.... No officer or private must know your real destination." Instructs the Major to march by way of Wardensville, continuing on to Devil's Hole and Columbia Furnace. Advises him to dispatch Major Jones to the valley pike south of Edinburg to capture the enemy there. Writes "It is very important that this…

GLC06461