Summary:
In late November and early December, 1862, General Ambrose E. Burnside,
commanding the Army of the Potomac, positioned his troops for an attack on
Fredericksburg. In this letter, Robert E. Lee writes Jefferson Davis concerning
these movements. Lee speculates on Burnside's plans and intentions. He also
discusses sending Confederate troops to Staunton to operate against Federals in
the Valley.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond:
December 6, 1862.
MR. PRESIDENT:
The enemy still maintain his position north of the Rappahannock. I can discover no indications of his advancing, or of transferring his troops to other positions. Scouts on both of his flanks north of the Rappahannock report no movement, nor have those stationed on the Potomac discovered the collection of transport or the passage of troops down that river.
Gen. Burnside's whole army appears to be encamped between the Rappahannock and Potomac. His apparent inaction suggests the probability that he is waiting for expected operations elsewhere, and I fear troops may be collecting south of James River. Yet I get no reliable information of organized or tried troops being sent to that quarter, nor am I aware of any of their general officers in whom confidence is placed being there in command. There is an evident concentration of troops hitherto disposed in other parts of Virginia, but whether for the purpose of augmenting Gen. Burnside's army or any other I cannot tell.
Col. Imboden reports that the Federal forces in Northwestern Virginia have retired toward New Creek, leaving a guard of some 200 at Beverly. There are none at Moorefield, or in the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac. There is but one company at Springfield, one at Paw Paw, one at the mouth of Little Cacapon, and three at Oldtown, in Maryland just opposite.
Gen. Jones reports, on the 4th instant, that Gen.'s Cox and Milroy were marching from New Creek toward Martinsburg, Col. Imboden having previously reported the rumor of Cox's withdrawal from the Kanawha Valley. Gen. Geary, I fear, is in possession of Winchester, as on the evening of the 3d he was reported, with his division, within 4 miles of that place. Cox's, Milroy's, and Geary's forces may be intended to occupy the valley, and reconstruct the railroads in that section, but I have thought it more probable that the greater portion were intended for operations elsewhere. I have heard that, on the 30th ultimo, ten regiments from Virginia had reached the Baltimore depot, in Washington, their destination unknown. Should Gen. Cox have withdrawn from the Kanawha Valley, I should think the State troops, under Gen. Floyd, could protect that country, and would recommend that the Confederate troops be brought at once to Staunton, to operate in the Shenandoah Valley, if necessary, or south of James River. I think the strength of the enemy south of James River is greatly exaggerated, but have no means of ascertaining the fact.
From the reports forwarded to me by Gen. G. W. Smith, the officers serving there seem to be impressed with its magnitude. If I felt sure of our ability to resist the advance of the enemy south of that river, it would relieve me of great embarrassment, and I should feel better able to oppose the operations which may be contemplated by Gen. Burnside. I presume that the operations in the Department of the West and South will require all the troops in each, but, should there be a lull of the war in these departments, it might be advantageous to leave a sufficient covering force to conceal the movement, and draw an active, when the exigency arrives, to the vicinity of Richmond. Provisions and forage in the mean time could be collected in Richmond. When the crisis shall have passed, these troops could be returned to their departments with re-enforcements.
I need not state to you the advantages of a combination of our troops for a battle, if it can be accomplished, and, unless it can be done, we must make up our minds to fight with great odds against us.
I hope Your Excellency will cause me to be advised when, in your judgment, it may become necessary for this army to move nearer Richmond. It was never in better health or in better condition for battle than now. Some shoes, blankets, arms, and accouterments are still wanting, but we are occasionally receiving small supplies, and I hope all will be provided in time.
There was quite a fall of snow yesterday, which will produce some temporary discomfort.
I have the honor to be, 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 21, Serial No. 31, Pages 1049-1050, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
