Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes Jefferson Davis to inform him of April, 1864, Union
movements. Lee mentions the possibility of a raid on Staunton by Union cavalry
under William Averell.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President
Confederate States:
April 18, 1864.
MR. PRESIDENT:
Recent information from scouts reconcile many discrepancies of former reports. Lieut.-Col. Mosby, upon closer examination, finds that the troops sent back to Alexandria from the Rappahannock consisted of some furloughed regiments which had re-enlisted, invalids, sick, sutlers, retainers, &c. The artillery and wagons were the disabled pieces, carriages, &c., that had been replaced by others. I think no new corps has joined Gen. Meade. He has been re-enforced by recruits, detachments, and the troops from about Washington, &c., but no corps or divisions have been detached from him. I do not think his army will exceed 75,000 men, though they claim to have 100,000. I believe that two corps have been transferred from the West to Annapolis, the Ninth and probably the Eleventh and Twelfth consolidated. All accounts agree that two corps have passed over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad east. As to the numbers of the corps reports vary. A scout just from the valley reports that Averell left Martinsburg last Tuesday, and moved up the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, taking with him all the cavalry that could be spared from that region, leaving only a garrison at Martinsburg. There is now no force at Harper's Ferry. A physician of his acquaintance went into Martinsburg and learned that two corps had passed down the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad toward Baltimore; did not know whence they came. Same information comes from other sources. I think it probable that Averell will move upon the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, or Staunton or some point west, at the time of the general movement upon Richmond, from some point beyond the North Mountain. I think, too, Gen. Grant will rely upon his flank movement upon Richmond to draw this army back. If that movement can be successfully met and resisted, I have no uneasiness as to the result of the campaign in Virginia. I know of no better plan than that submitted in a former letter to Your Excellency.
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 1291, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
