Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes General Samuel Jones in February, 1864, concerning the
defense of western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Lee discusses mapping the
countryside near Staunton, enlisting civilians in the army, and dealing with
deserters.
Gen. SAMUEL JONES,
Cmdg., &c.:
February 2, 1864.
I have received your dispatch of the 31st ultimo, reporting indications of another advance of the enemy from the Kanawha, and your opinion that there should be some troops on the railroad. I have no troops to send. The facts had better be reported to the Secretary of War, as your detachment is beyond the limits of my command. Gen. Averell, by the last reports of scouts in the valley, was at Martinsburg, with his success appears to me at this distance to be owing to the terror with which he has inspired the troops. As soon as his approach is announced his progress is neither retarded nor watched.
A body of select troops should remain constantly in his front, obstructing his advance and reporting his route, that troops might be concentrated at the desired point. I know the difficulty of guarding a long line. You cannot have sufficient force at every vulnerable point, whereas the enemy can select whatever point he pleases. But I think the main passes through the mountains could be so fortified as to be led by a small force, and the minor ones so obstructed as to greatly embarrass their passage. If the home guards or local organizations could be got to hold the fortified passes, it would leave all your make your arrangements such as to enable you to attack them at some vulnerable point and throw them on the defensive it would lighten your labor exceedingly.
I have sent Capt. Howard, of the engineers of this army, to examine the routes through to Allegheny range south of Staunton.
He will be joined by some young officers who have been occupied in that country for some time, and I hope a serviceable map of the roads, &c., can be formed by the spring, which may aid in future operations. I would recommend, if not already done, that similar examinations on the ranges west be made. I would recommend also that the people be organized for the defense of the country into the regular service, and that existing organizations be filled rather than new ones created; that all deserters be sent to their proper commands and all cowards punished. I wish I could spare you some troops or aid you in any way, but the enemy in my front is active and increasing and I require all I have.
I am, with great 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 33, Serial No. 60, Pages 1141-1142, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
