Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes Col. John Imboden, commanding partisan rangers, concerning
his actions in western Virginia during October, 1862. Lee approves Imboden's
request for 400 suits from the quartermaster at Staunton.
Col. J. D. IMBODEN,
Cmdg. First Regt. Virginia
Partisan Rangers:
October 26, 1862.
COL.:
Your letter of the 24th has been received. I am glad you keep in view the great object before you, viz, the destruction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. I am aware that the enemy's is greatly superior to yours, but I hope that, by the exercise of prudence with boldness, you will be able to mislead him, and strike at some vulnerable point, and thus inflict great damage. I regret to learn that your men are so badly clad, and approved the requisition presented by Capt. Imboden upon the quartermaster at Staunton for 400 suits. This army, I regret to state, is in a similar condition to your own, and, though possibly in a warmer climate at present, is without the shelter which your woods and mountains furnish.
I am much pleased at the result of your operations in collecting cattle, and desire that you will continue them as long as they can be advantageously pursued. I hope you will be able to carry out your plan against the Cheat River bridge and trestle work. Their destruction would tie up the railroad for the winter.
I join you in the apprehension that the enemy's forces in the northwest will prevent Gen. Loring from accomplishing more than to distract attention from you and relieve you of a part of his force.
I am, most respectfully, 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 682, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
