General Robert E. Lee To The Farmers East Of The Blue Ridge And South Of James River, January 12, 1865

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

January 12, 1865.

TO THE FARMERS EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE AND SOUTH OF JAMES RIVER:

The recent heavy freshet having destroyed a portion of the railroad from Danville to Goldsboro, and thereby cut off temporarily necessary supplies for the Army of Northern Virginia, an appeal is respectfully made to the farmers, millers, and other citizens to furnish with all possible promptness whatever breadstuffs, meats (fresh or salt), and molasses they can spare. Such citizens as Major Robert Tannahill may select are asked to act as agents in purchasing and collecting supplies through the various officers connected with the commissary department on the lines of railroad.

Arrangements have been made to pay promptly for all supplies delivered under this appeal, or to return the same in kind as soon as practicable.

R. E. LEE.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 349

From Washington

Herald’s Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, May 19.

It is stated that Gov. Stanley is greatly grieved at the course of Gen. Hunter, and until the prompt and emphatic proclamation of the President, to-day, was unwilling to undertake the office assigned to him in North Carolina.  It is clear that what rebels there are this side of the Blue Ridge, are between McDowell’s Corps and Fredericksburg and Richmond.

Mr. Spaulding, an active business man of Washington has returned from a brief visit to Norfolk.  The citizens there are not on bad terms with our soldiers, but they are confident that Gen. McClellan cannot reach Richmond.

The Senate committee on commerce gave Mr. Lathrop, the newly nominated collector for New Orleans, a hearing to-day. – His statement, however, in his own behalf, did not alter the unfavorable decision previously arrived at by the committee.  Mr. Lathrop requested an opportunity to have his name withdrawn, which was granted.  The President will probably send in the name of Cuthbert Bullitt to-morrow, for the same position.  Mr. Bullitt has been a merchant and resident of New Orleans over twenty years, and left [there] last year for reason of his loyalty.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 2

General Robert E. Lee to Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early, August 26, 1864

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

AUGUST 26, 1864.

GENERAL EARLY.

GENERAL: Your letter of the 23d has been received, and I am much pleased at your having forced the enemy back to Harper's Ferry. This will give protection to the Valley and arrest the travel on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It will, however, have little or no effect upon Grant's operations or prevent reinforcements being sent to him. If Sheridan's force is as large as you suppose, I do not know that you could operate to advantage north of the Potomac. Either Anderson's troops or a portion of yours might, however, be detached to destroy the railroad west of Charlestown, and Fitz Lee might send a portion of his cavalry to cross the Potomac east of the Blue Ridge, as you propose, I cannot detach at present more cavalry from this army; the enemy is too strong in that arm. I am aware that Anderson is the ranking officer, but I apprehend no difficulty on that score. I first intended him to threaten the enemy east of the Blue Ridge, so as to retain near Washington a portion of the enemy's forces. He crossed the mountains at your suggestion, and I think properly. If his troops are not wanted there, he could cross into Loudoun or Fauquier and return to Culpeper. It would add force to the movement of cavalry east of the Blue Ridge. I am in great need of his troops, and if they can be spared from the Valley or cannot operate to advantage there, I will order them back to Richmond. Let me know.

Very respectfully,

R. E. LEE,

General.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 337