Summary:
In April, 1864, the Army of the Potomac under Meade, and overseen by Grant,
prepared to invade Virginia and advance on Richmond. In this letter, Robert E.
Lee writes General John C. Breckinridge to inform him of these developments, as
well as his suspicions that Union General Averell might launch a raid on
railroads around Staunton in conjunction with Meade's advance.
Gen. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, Cmdg., &c.:
April 19, 1864.
GEN.:
I learned yesterday from a scout, whom I had sent to the valley, that Gen. Averell, on this day week, left Martinsburg with all the cavalry which could be spared from that region, and moved up the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. I think it probable, when the weather permits, or about the time when their proposed combined movement against Richmond takes place, that he will make another attack upon our western railroad at or beyond Staunton, from some point west of North Mountain. I see now no indication of an advance up the valley. There is only a garrison at Martinsburg, and no force, it is said, at Harper's Ferry. Such an advance has been industriously hinted abroad, an examination of the Potomac and Winchester Railroad made, but I believe it was done to deceive. I would recommend that Col. Jackson keep his scouts toward Beverly, &c., on the alert, that you may receive early information of any preparations or movements, that you may be ready to meet an advance if made. Gen. Meade's army is reported ready to advance. His sick, invalids, sutlers, &c., have been sent back to Washington, his troops rationed, and only waiting for the roads to become passable. Should an advance be made west of the Blue Ridge, I hope, with the aid of Gen. Imboden, you will drive the assailants beyond the Potomac.
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 1295, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
