HEADQUARTERS, April 12,
1864.
MR. PRESIDENT:
My anxiety on the subject of provisions for the army is so
great that I cannot refrain from expressing it to your Excellency. I cannot see
how we can operate with our supplies. Any derangement in their arrival or
disaster to the railroad would render it impossible for me to keep the army
together, and might force a retreat into North Carolina. There is nothing to be
had in this section for men or animals. We have rations for the troops today and
tomorrow. I hope a new supply arrived last night, but I have not yet had a
report. Every action should be made to supply the depots at Richmond and at
other points. All pleasure travel should cease and everything be devoted to
necessary wants.
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. 330-1
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