Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes Jefferson Davis in May, 1864, concerning possible Union
advances on the Peninsula and toward Staunton.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President
Confederate States:
May 3, 1864.
Mr. PRESIDENT:
I think that the late movement of Gen. Burnside to the Rappahannock was owing to a change in the plans of the enemy. Previous to that, great preparations has been made to transport troops by water, and I know of no force for which they were intended except that of Gen. Burnside. In addition to the impressment of the steamers about Baltimore, which has already been reported, I send you an extract from the Philadelphia Inquirer, from which you will see that the boats on the Hudson were also chartered. The character of these boats shows that they were not intended for a distant expedition. I also inclose a report from one of our most intelligent and trustworthy scouts, which I think indicates correctly what the enemy would desire to accomplish. Reports from Gen.'s Breckinridge and Imboden confirm the intelligence of the return of the force lately threatening us in Western Virginia. It may be that they now intend to move up the valley toward Staunton.
In collecting troops to operate in the Peninsula or south of the James, the enemy will no doubt draw from the Southern coast. Indeed, the removal of troops from Florida and Port Royal began as early as April 13 and 17, as you will see be an extract from a Northern paper published in the Dispatch of yesterday. A letter from Port Royal, of the latter date, states that a large force would leave next day for Fortress Monroe, and one from Jacksonville, dated April 17, speaks of troops leaving Florida. It may be that some of these may have been since diverted by the events in North Carolina, but the time of their withdrawal indicates that they were not originally intended for that State, and I have no doubt they were to form part of the army of Gen. Smith at Fortress Monroe. The officers commanding in North Carolina will be able to ascertain whether any part, of this force has come to that department, but I think, taking all the information together, that we should rather look to see them operating against Richmond, and make our preparations accordingly.
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 36, Serial No. 68, Pages 942-943, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
