Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Battlefield autograph letter datelined July 24, 1862, and addressed in Jackson's hand at lower left to "Maj. Gen. R.S. Ewell", reads "General, Please let Mr. J.S. Barbour select a couple of men from your command for the purpose of procuring information beyond our lines. Respectfully yours, T.J. Jackson Maj. Genl.", written in pencil on back are two dockets in Gen. Ewell's hand: "Mr. Barbour wishes to confer with two men from the 13th Va., he is referred to Genl. Early. July 24, 62 R.S. Ewell" and "Genl. Early will please detail the men if Mr. Barbour find[s] those he wishes...", lightly professionally cleaned

VERY FINE. A RARE BATTLEFIELD LETTER BY CONFEDERATE GENERAL THOMAS J. "STONEWALL" JACKSON TO GENERAL RICHARD S. EWELL.

In an attempt to capture Richmond and thereby end the war, Union forces under General George B. McClellan invaded the Shenandoah Valley (Peninsular Campaign, March-July 1862). Jackson successfully fought off several divisions, preventing some 50,000 men under Nathaniel P. Banks and Irvin McDowell from reinforcing McClellan. When General John Pope's Army of Virginia joined McClellan in the Valley and Pope moved toward Gordonsville, Virginia, a railroad junction strategically located between Richmond and the Valley, General Lee sent Jackson to protect the town. In this letter dated July 24, Jackson orders the selection of two spies to be placed behind Union lines, likely hoping for information to use against Pope. On August 29th, troops under Stonewall Jackson and James Longstreet attacked Pope's Army at Manassas and Pope was forced to retreat across Bull Run Creek, having lost 15,000 men. Pope was blamed for the defeat and relieved of his command.

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