(Confidential.)
HIS EXCELLENCY JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President Confederate States.
MR. PRESIDENT: I have delayed replying to your letter of the
4th until the time arrived for the execution of the attempt on New Berne. I
regret very much that the boats on the Neuse and Roanoke are not completed.
With their aid, I think, success would be certain. Without them, though the
place may be captured, the fruits of the expedition will be lessened and our
maintenance of the command of the waters in North Carolina uncertain. I think
every effort should be made now to get them into service as soon as possible.
You will see by the enclosed letters to Generals Pickett and Whiting the
arrangements made for the land operations. The water expedition I am willing to
trust to Colonel Wood. If he can succeed in capturing the gunboats, I think
success will be certain, as it was by aid from the water that I expected Hoke
to be mainly assisted.
In view of the opinion expressed in your letter, I would go
to North Carolina myself; but I consider my presence here always necessary,
especially now when there is such a struggle to keep the army fed and clothed.
General Early is still in the Valley. The enemy there has been reinforced by
troops from Meade's army and [by] calling down General Averell with his
cavalry. I do not know what their intentions are. Report from General Early'
yesterday stated that Averell with his cavalry had started from Morehead. I
will, however, go to North Carolina if you think it necessary. General Fitz Lee
brought out of Hardy no prisoners, 250 horses and mules, 27 wagons, and 460
head of cattle. He captured 40 wagons, but 13 turned over on the mountains and
had to be abandoned. He had also to leave behind between 100 and 200 head of
cattle. The difficulties he encountered were very great, owing to the extreme
cold, ice, storms, etc. Nearly all his men were frost-bitten, some badly; many
injured by the falling of their horses. He got within six miles of Paddytown,
but could not cross the mountains, owing to the icy roads and the smoothness of
his horses. He could take with him neither artillery nor wagons.
I am, with great
respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
General.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 324
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