HEADQUARTERS, April 5,
1864.
HIS EXCELLENCY JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President Confederate States.
Mr. PRESIDENT: All the information I receive tends to show
that the great effort of the enemy in this campaign will be made in Virginia.
Nothing as yet has been discovered to develop his plan. Reinforcements are
certainly daily arriving to the Army of the Potomac. I cannot ascertain whence
they come. Information was received on the 3d from two scouts, derived from
citizens along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, that the troops on the cars
said they belonged to Grant's Army of Tennessee. A resident of Culpeper stated
that the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps had returned there. I telegraphed to
Generals Johnston and Longstreet to know if they were still in the West. I
enclose their answers. Both seem to think they are in their front, but
preparing to leave. The tone of the Northern papers, as well as the impression
prevailing in their armies, goes to show that Grant with a large force is to
move against Richmond. One of their correspondents at Harrisburg states upon
the occasion of the visit of Generals Burnside and Hancock that it was certain
that the former would go to North Carolina. They cannot collect the large force
they mention for their operations against Richmond without reducing their other
armies. This ought to be discovered and taken advantage of by our respective
commanders. I infer from the information I receive that Longstreet's corps is
in the vicinity of Abingdon and Bristol. It is therefore in position to be
thrown West or East.
Unless it is certain that it can be advantageously employed
West for a speedy blow, I would recommend that it be returned to this army. The
movements and reports of the enemy may be intended to mislead us, and should
therefore be carefully observed. But all the information that reaches me goes
to strengthen the belief that General Grant is preparing to move against
Richmond.
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
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