608 14^th St N.W.

Washington, D.C.

Apr. 17, 1917.

 

Dear Luther:-                                                                                           

 

            Your letter rec'd. and I am always glad to get a line from you. Now, Luther, my former letter explained the route of our army, 2^nd Manassas, thoroughly. After Jackson was relieved on the south side of the Rappahannock River at Rappahannock Station, he moved up the south side of the river to Henson Ford—(I do not remember the date)—near Orlean, before daylight—went by way of Salem, The Plains, through Thoroughfare Gap of the Bull Run Mts. to Haymarket, Gainsville & Bristow. This march was made in a day—the longest ever made by Jackson in one day. Stuart's Cavalry was in the lead. Nothing hindered us from going /

 

We did not meet a Yankee. Neither Jackson nor Stuart halted until they reached Bristow. Pope's Army was at Warrenton, Warrenton Spgs. & Rappahannock Sta. Genl. Lee with Longstreet was "fronting" him. As soon as Pope found Jackson was in his rear at Manassas he sent Ricket's Yankee Div. to Thoroughfare Gap, Bull Run Mt. which halted Lee with Longstreet's corps for nearly a day.

 

Gen. Lee sent Roger A. Pryor of Anderson's Div. Longstreet's Corps through Hopewell Gap to get in Ricket's rear. (He (Rickets) retired to Manassas to join Pope. Neither Jackson nor Stuart stopped west of the Bull Run Mt. for there was nothing to stop them. As to Jackson's taking breakfast with my dear friend Foster—if he did it was before Gen. Lee got there. Gen Lee with Longstreet's corps was halted in Thoroughfare Gap by Rickets Yankee Div. Gen. Lee's headquarters in opening up and getting through Thoroughfare Gap was in Bolling Robertsons house near Broad Run. The Plains is no point of interest in the march of Lee's army to Manassas more than Salem or Broad Run.

 

Now, old man I know what I say is a true statement of facts. Always glad to hear from you. Any information I can give you am pleased to give.

 

                                                Yours truly,

                                                            Mr. W. "Tip" Peake.

SOURCES