Summary:
In this July, 1863, letter, Robert E. Lee writes to General John Imboden and his cavalry en route for Staunton. Lee mentions prisoners, and Imboden's orders to operate on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

---

Brig. Gen. J. D. Imboden,
Comdg. Northwestern Virginia Brigade:

July 16, 1863.

Gen.:

From the reports I have received of your progress, I am in hopes you will reach Staunton to-day. Dispose of your prisoners as soon as possible, and return to Winchester. Your services are much needed here now to operate against your old enemy, who has advanced from the west along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and relaid the track as far as Cherry Run. Col. Imboden with his cavalry will be sent to ascertain the position and force of the enemy, so as to determine what your movements should be when you reach Winchester. Collect all your available men, leaving only the feeble to guard the Shenandoah Mountain, and have your horses shod, and every preparation made for active operations. Also inform me about the time you will reach Strasburg, that I may send you information and instructions there, if necessary.

I am, with much 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 27, Serial No. 45, Pages 1011, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.