Records Related to Augusta County Regiments



From: R. E. LEE, Gen.
October 8, 1862.

Summary:
Robert E. Lee informs Secretary of War Randolph in October, 1862, that the sick and wounded from battles at Manassas and Sharpsburg have been sent to Staunton. He describes the nature and number of the afflicted.


Hon. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH,
Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

Camp near Winchester, Va.,

October 8, 1862.

SIR:

Since the army has remained in this position, all the wounded resulting from the battles at Manassas that were sent west of the mountains, and those that were able to be transported from the battle-fields in Maryland, and such as had been injured in the smaller conflicts on the line of the Potomac, have been sent from Winchester to Staunton. The medical director reports that the whole number is about 4,500. He also states that about an equal number of sick from this army are now accumulated in Winchester, and they are principally, if not altogether, the conscripts and recruits that have joined since we have been stationary. They are afflicted with measles, camp fever, &c. The medical director thinks that all the conscripts we have received are thus afflicted, so that, instead of being an advantage to us, they are an element of weakness, a burden. I think, therefore, that it would be better that the conscripts be assembled in camps of instructions, so that they may pass through these investable diseases, and become a little inured to camp life. I recommend, therefore, that, except such as can be collected from these border counties, and which can only be controlled by the presence of the army, no more conscripts be sent up for the present. The sick that have been captured and paroled by the enemy at Leesburg, Middleburg, Aldie, and Shepherdstown are principally composed of stragglers who have congregated at these places for repose and refreshment. From all these points all the wounded and sick were transported before they were exposed to capture, except such as could not bear transportation, and had to be left fate, and the result is that we have to exchange prisoners of war to release men who have done us no service.

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,
Gen.


Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 19, Serial No. 28, Pages 657, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.


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