head Quarters,
Army N. Va.,
8th February, 1865.
hon. Louis T. Wigfall,
Richmond.
Dear Sir:
I have received your letter of the 3rd inst. with reference
to permitting the Texas Brigade to return home to recruit.
No troops in the Army have earned a better title to
indulgence than the brave Texas Brigade, and to none would I more willingly
grant any privilege consistent with the interests of the service. I have no
doubt but that they would return, and I hope they would realize all you promise
in the way of recruits. But it is impossible for me to detach any men from this
army now. I do not think that we shall remain long inactive. Operations on our
right have already begun, and there are indications of movements in other
quarters in which this army has an immediate concern. Such is our great want of
men, that the absence of even four hundred would be severely felt, especially
four hundred of our best troops. I see no way to accomplish your wish except by
first bringing some regiments or a brigade from Texas to take the place of
these now here. If that can be done I need not say how much pleasure it would
afford me to let the old brigade go home, and how pleased I should be to see it
return augmented to a Division.
I do think it extremely important that some of the troops
west of the Mississippi should be brought to this side.
The enemy has brought away a large part of the force with
which he has been operating in the West, and concentrated upon our eastern
armies. I think we must do the same with ours, and will be greatly obliged for
any assistance you can render to accomplish it.
We are greatly in need of men.
Very respectfully,
Your obt. servt.,
R. E. Lee,
Genl.
SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in
’61, p. 226-7
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