Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes to General Samuel Jones concerning May, 1863, movements of cavalry to Staunton.

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Gen. SAMUEL JONES,
Cmdg. Department of Western Virginia:

FREDERICKSBURG,

May 9, 1863.

GEN.:

I have just received your letter of the 25th ultimo. I will endeavor to make the exchange of cavalry you propose. I have telegraphed you to send Gen. Jenkins to Staunton, or the most convenient point to him in the Valley. Please let me know the time he may be expected to arrive there.

I know that Gen. Jenkins is a gallant soldier, but am unacquainted with his administrative qualities.

How would cavalry in this part of Virginia.

You see how Gen. Stoneman has been running wild over the State, cutting our railroads, &c., and even going to within sight of Richmond. He has twenty-eight regiments of cavalry, organized into four divisions, forming a cavalry corps under himself. He must be restricted in his operations or we shall be ruined. Where can we obtain re-enforcements of cavalry from? I have received no detailed reports from Imboden and Jones. So far as heard from, they have been successful. Success is a necessary to us, and all must endeavor to win it.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,
Gen.

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Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 25, Serial No. 40, Pages 789, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.