HEADQUARTERS, VIA
PETERSBURG, April 2, 1865.
GEN. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE.
I see no prospect of doing more than holding our position
here till night. I am not certain that I can do that; if I can, I shall
withdraw tonight north of the Appomattox, and if possible it will be better to
withdraw the whole line tonight from James River; the brigades on Hatcher's Run
are cut off from us. Enemy have broken through our lines and interposed between
us and them, and there is no bridge over which they can cross the Appomattox
this side of Goode or Bevel, which are not very far from the Danville Railroad.
Our only chance, then, of concentrating our forces is to do so near Danville
Railroad, which I shall endeavor to do at once. I advise that all preparations
be made for leaving Richmond tonight. I will advise you later according to
circumstances.
R. E. LEE.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 364
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