Summary:
Robert E. Lee authorizes General Edward Johnson, commanding at Staunton, to
detain persons passing through his lines, and arrest any carrying unauthorized
letters. Lee designed his April, 1862, to prevent spying by the enemy.
Brig. Gen. EDWARD JOHNSON,
Cmdg., &c.,
Staunton, Va.:
Richmond, Va.,
April 23, 1862.
GEN.:
My attention has been directed to the recent capture by the enemy of certain persons endeavoring to make their way to the enemy's country having in their possession a large number of letters directed to persons in various parts of the United States. The letters were detained and the bearers released. Other cases of the same kind have occurred, and there is reason to believe that the enemy obtains information of what transpires within our lines by means of correspondence conducted in this way. I have therefore to request that you will cause every precaution to be taken to prevent such correspondence, by directing all persons attempting to pass your lines to be examined and letters found in their possession to be scrutinized by your officers. Objectionable letters and the bearers of them will be detained. I shall apply to the Governor to direct the proper civil officers along the border to give their attention to this subject, and you will please cause all necessary assistance that it may be in your power to give to be rendered to such officers by the troops under your command.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
Gen., Cmdg.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 12, Serial No. 18, Pages 864, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
