Annotation
[1] OR, I, XII, III, 416. The text of this note was incorporated by Stanton in his telegram to Irvin McDowell, June 21, 1862. The original has not been located. Banks had ``urgently and repeatedly requested that Shields' should remain a short time at Front Royal.'' (Ibid.). McDowell replied to Stanton's telegram at 2 P.M., ``Your telegram requesting that Shields' division should be allowed to remain a few days at Front Royal, is just received. In compliance with the orders given after the President was here (Manassas) the advance of Shields' division reached here last night and has moved to Bristol. The sick, foot weary, and part of the baggage and stores left Front Royal last night; General Shields and the remainder of his division left Front Royal this morning at 5 o'clock.
``My reasons for wishing to get General Shields here were, first, that the movements I am ordered to make depend upon it; second, his position at Front Royal, with nothing in advance of him beyond the support of General Fremont and with a river separating him from General Banks, which General Banks' force seems reluctant to cross, was not such as I wanted him, in the condition he is in, to remain in.
``General Shields' division is, I learn, in a bad state morally and materially. . . .
``I am improving and sitting up, and hope soon to regain my bodily activity.'' (OR, I, XII, I, 288).
McDowell's horse had fallen on him the afternoon of June 18.