Records Related to Augusta County Regiments



From: R. E. LEE, Gen.
July 1, 1864.

Summary:
The Shenandoah Valley served as an important source of Confederate supply throughout the war. In this July, 1864, letter, General Robert E. Lee writes the Secretary of War concerning the importance of keeping open the Virginia Central Railroad. Lee mentions that work on the road had been completed as far as Staunton.


Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond:

July 1, 1864.

SIR:

I have the honor to call your attention to the importance of keeping open the Virginia Central Railroad, not only to bring supplies from the Valley but to facilitate military operations in that quarter. I am informed that the road is now completed to Staunton, or within a short distance of it. I respectfully recommend that a force of reserves be placed at the bridge over the South Anna and also those over the Rivanna River. There is a company of cavalry commanded by a Capt. Anderson in Hanover, which might be employed in scouting to give notice of the approach of danger. So far as I know there is no enemy north of the James who would be likely to attempt to break the road, unless there be some cavalry on the Peninsula. There is a small body of cavalry near Fairfax Court-House. I think the presence of the reserves would deter the enemy from sending small parties to break the road, and if they detach troops from their main body for the purpose it will enable us to re-enforce the guard.

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 40, Serial No. 81, Pages 709, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.


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