SAVANNAH, 23d February,
1862.
My Dear Son:
I have received your letter of the 12th and am glad you have
returned safely from the Rappahannock. I hope your visit was satisfactory. I am
sorry your arrangement for sending on Richmond failed, and especially for the
trouble he occasioned everybody. He is a troublesome fellow and dislikes to
associate with strange horses. He expresses it more in words than acts, and if
firmly treated becomes quiet at last. I know his propensity to squeal on such
occasions and can imagine how unacceptable he made himself to strangers. I
carried him in the car with all our horses to and from western Virginia without
accident or harm. He might as well wait now, and I hope you can make him useful
to you. The expense of hiring a man and car to get him to me would not be
indemnified by the use to me. I have two horses. Col. W. has been here, as you
may have learned, and I should judge from his manner everything was agreeable
to him. He took his departure two days since, and I sent by him an afghan or
robe, knit for me by Miss "Tattie" Clinch, which is too pretty to
have in camp. I desired him to give it to you and I wish you would send it to
your mother or put it away somewhere, and ask her to keep it for me. I have
heard of Mary's return from Norfolk, and I hope she is now with her mother. In
these times of trouble I am always anxious about those away from me. The
victories of the enemy increase and consequently the necessity of increased
energy and activity on our part. Our men do not seem to realize this, and the
same supineness and carelessness of their duty continue. If it will have the
effect of arousing them and imparting an earnestness and boldness to their
work, it will be beneficial to us. If not we shall be overrun for a time, and
must make up our minds to great suffering. Here the enemy seems to be slowly
making his way to the Savannah River through the creeks and marshes, and his
shells now interrupt its navigation. We have nothing that floats that can
contend with him, and it is grating to see his progress unopposed by any
resistance we can make. The communication with Fort Pulaski is cut. That may in
time be reduced, but I am constructing batteries at Fort Jackson which, if our
men will fight, will give him trouble to get to the city. His batteries are so
numerous and strong that I know they are hard to resist, but if we have the
time and guns they ought if vulnerable to be beaten off. Their barges and
reconnoitering boats are even clad with iron, so that our musket and rifle
balls are harmless. The work progresses slowly and it is with the utmost
difficulty that it is pushed ahead. I had until lately supposed Charleston
would have been first attacked, but now it seems they are concentrating here.
We are stronger in C. than here. The creeks that intersect the marshes through
with the waters of Port Royal Harbor to the north and Warsaw Sound on the south
are a great element of weakness, and indeed the facilities the arms or branches
of these waters afford for approach and investment in all directions make it
one of the hardest places to defend I ever saw, against light draft boats. The
tide rises seven and eight feet, so it is easy to propel their boats over the
mud. This will be plain to you who know the topography of the place. Your
friends here are all well and frequently inquire after you. Mrs. Wm. H. Stiles
has come down, since Mrs. Lord's return to her children. I now hear that Mr.
Lord is released on parole in Baltimore. I do not know if it is true. Remember
me to all friends, my dear son, and give much love to your mother, Fitzhugh,
and all the girls. I hope you will be able to attend to the business matters
without distress to yourself or neglect of your duty. All must be sacrificed to
the country. May God protect you and shield you from all harm.
Your devoted father,
R. E. LEE.
COL. G. W. CUSTIS LEE.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 161-2
1 comment:
I really enjoy these letters. What a treasure trove....
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