Summary:
After the Battle of Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee made preparations to withdraw his Army of Northern Virginia from Pennsylvania. In this letter to the commanding officer at Winchester, Lee orders that all returning sick and wounded should be sent to Staunton.

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Comdg. Officer at Winchester:

July 4, 1863.

Sir:

I wish you to convey to the commanding officers of the regiments of Ewell's corps, instructions, from me to proceed to Falling Waters, where they will take position, and guard the pontoon bridge at that place, and also the ford at Williamsport, holding there all persons belonging to this army, and collecting all stragglers from it. Any sick, of course, will be forwarded to Winchester. The senior officer present will take command. Should it be necessary that a part of that force remain in Winchester, you have my authority for retaining it there. Upon the arrival of the sick and wounded at Winchester, they will be forwarded to Staunton as rapidly as possible, as also any surplus articles not needed for the army in the field.

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 27, Serial No. 45, Pages 967, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.