Summary:
The Shenandoah Valley provided a rich source of food and supply for a Confederate
army at times hard pressed to procure adequate provisions. In this January,
1864, letter, Robert E. Lee orders General Jubal Early, commanding at Staunton,
to send expeditions into the countryside for the purpose of procuring
cattle.
Maj. Gen. J. A. EARLY,
Cmdg., &c., Staunton,
Va.:
January 21, 1864.
GEN.:
Your letter of the 11th instant, with Gen. Rosser's dispatch inclosed, is received.
I hope that you will bear in mind the great importance of obtaining supplies of subsistence of the army. I fully appreciate the great difficulties that attended the late expedition to Hardy and Hampshire, and have no doubt that the men brought out all the cattle that they could under the circumstances; but I am informed by Maj. Hawks and others that there are many cattle in that region still which might be obtained, and which we should spare no effort to get. Owing to the condition of the roads and the intense cold, rendering rapid movements necessary, those parts of the country where most of the cattle are said to be were not visited. The cattle brought out were obtained generally on the line of march, as I am informed by Maj. Gilmor. In sending any expedition into that country, care should be taken to select men well acquainted with it, and who know where the cattle are to be found. I desire that if you find the weather and roads unsuitable for the movements of an organized body of troops you will endeavor to get all the cattle, &c., that can be brought out by intelligent and active individuals, giving them all the assistance in your power. Maj. A. H. Johnson, commissary of subsistence, Harrisonburg; Capt. Coontz, assistant commissary of subsistence, New Market; and Capt. Ross, of Gilmor's battalion, have been named to me as well qualified to aid in this work, by their energy, intelligence, and knowledge of the resources of the country. I wish you to put them and other suitable persons at this important business as soon as possible.
I have just received a letter from Gen. Sedgwick, dated the 20th instant, which shows that he is present himself on the other side of the Rapidan, commanding in the absence of Gen. Meade. How much of his corps has been sent to the valley is uncertain. Some reports say a brigade, others a division, and others still a brigade and a division. The camps are said to be still standing, so that it is certain that the whole corps has not gone.
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 33, Serial No. 60, Pages 1111, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
