Summary:
Confederate Secretary of War James Seddon writes Robert E. Lee concerning munitions for the army. Seddon informs Lee that 3,000 arms are available at Staunton, an important Confederate supply center.

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Gen. R. E. LEE,
Cmdg., &c.:

Richmond, Va.,

August 9, 1863.

GEN.:

I am pleased to be able to relieve you from the anxiety manifested in your letter of the 7th instant, in relation to the due supply of arms for your army. I am informed by the Chief of Ordnance that are at Staunton already, subject to your order, 3,000 arms; that he can command here, subject to your requisition, from 5,000 to 7,000 more, and that he does not apprehend any difficulty in meeting the larger number (10,000) which you expect to require within a month.

I am using all means at the command of the department to increase both the manufacture and import of arms, and I am always pleased to receive announcements of anticipated deficiencies, that they may be used to stimulate efforts on the part of officers and agents, and assist me in providing for coming need.

Very truly, yours,

J. A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.

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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 29, Serial No. 49, Pages 631, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.