Summary:
General Robert E. Lee writes Secretary of War James Seddon on various aspects of
the October, 1863, strategic situation. Among other things, Lee discusses a
possible advance by Union General William Averell in western Virginia, and his
attempts to meet it by sending Imboden's cavalry west toward Staunton.
Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond:
October 23, 1863.
SIR:
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 20th instant. As soon as your dispatch with reference to Averell's movement reached me, I directed Gen. Imboden, whom I had ordered to the lower valley of the Shenandoah when this army crossed the Rapidan, to return, toward Staunton, ascertain, if possible, the truth of the report, and be prepared to meet Averell's advance. I think there are enough troops in Western Virginia, if properly managed, not only to resist all attacks of the enemy, but to drive them farther from our present positions. The retreating before every advance of the enemy upon the Tennessee Railroad, I fear will entail upon us heavy loss, and the assaults of such troops as they have in that region, home guards and cavalry, could, by proper dispositions, be easily repulsed. I hope you will cause to be investigated the truth of the report which you mention of a force of the enemy being in York River, as another attack upon our railroad from that quarter may be in contemplation.
I have not been able to ascertain the future movements of Gen. Meade's army. Our scouts report that bridge timber and cross-ties have been brought forward to Broad Run, and that a portion of the enemy's infantry had advanced as far as Catlett's Station on the railway. It is also stated that his cavalry is in Warrenton, and a portion of his infantry on the turnpike leading from that place to Centreville. It may be his intention to advance to Warrenton and bring his supplies to that point by the turnpike until the railroad is reconstructed. Our scouts on the Potomac still report transports with troops ascending that river. A steamer passed up on the 13th instant laden with troops, estimated at 600, and on the 17th, two large ocean steamers passed up, estimated to contain 1,200. I see it stated in the Northern papers that all the volunteers in the State of New York have been ordered to Washington. They are, therefore strengthening themselves on that front.
I hope you will endeavor to provide the army with shoes, clothing, and blankets, for the season is approaching when the want of these articles will entail great suffering and sickness on the troops, and incapacitate them for military movements.
I am, very respectfully, 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 29, Serial No. 49, Pages 800, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
