HEADQUARTERS, April 16,
1864.
GEN. BRAXTON BRAGG,
Commanding Armies C. States.
GENERAL: I received last evening your letter of the 14th
instant by the hands of Major Parker. I trust that the expedition in North
Carolina will be attended with success, and that the troops in the department
of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida may be made available to oppose the
combined operations of the enemy in Virginia. No attack of moment can be made
upon Charleston or the southern coast during the summer months, and I think
General Johnston can draw with impunity some troops from Mobile to him.
Buckner's force, too, might be made available in some way; I fear, as he stands
now, it will be lost to us. At present my hands are tied. If I were able to
move with the aid of Longstreet and Pickett, the enemy might be driven from the
Rappahannock and be obliged to look to the safety of his own capital instead of
the assault upon ours. I cannot even draw to me the cavalry or artillery of the
army, and the season has arrived when I may be attacked any day. The scarcity
of our supplies gives me the greatest uneasiness. All travel should be
suspended on the railroad until a sufficiency is secured. I can have a portion
of the corn ground into meal for the army if it is sent to me. I do not know
whether all can be furnished. The mills are mostly on the Rapidan, and
consequently exposed if any movement takes place. It will also increase the
hauling, which at this time I should like to avoid if possible. If the meal can
be prepared in Richmond, it will be more convenient at this time. If it cannot,
we can at least grind part of the corn if sent to us. If we are forced back
from our present line, the Central Railroad, Charlottesville, and all the upper
country will be exposed, and I fear great injury inflicted on us.
Most respectfully,
your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
General.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 332-3
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