Summary:
General Robert E. Lee writes President Jefferson Davis to discuss the July, 1862,
strategic situation. Lee speculates on Union plans in the Shenandoah Valley that
might involve the capture of the Virginia Central Railroad at Staunton. He also
remarks on the impact of rumors on civilian morale.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President
Confederate States:
Near Richmond,
July 18, 1862.
Mr. PRESIDENT:
I have the honor to inclose a note just received from Gen. Stuart. I had directed Gen. Jackson, in the uncertainty of the enemy's intentions and in the hope of striking a blow at him, to take position from Beaver Dam Station to Frederick's Hall, so as to be on his flank should he move from Fredericksburg to Richmond or make an attempt toward Charlottesville from Culpeper. He writes me, under date of 17th, that from the reports received he was under the impression that Fredericksburg was being evacuated and the enemy was moving to Orange Court-House. He was therefore drawing nearer Gordonsville and collecting his troops at Louisa Court-House. This information from Gen. Stuart would indicate a large force assembling at Winchester, which I do not credit. But it may be the enemy's intention to secure possession of the Valley, for which purpose they would seize the Central Railroad at Staunton and advance toward Charlottesville to cut off that communication with Lynchburg. The reports are so conflicting and sometimes opposing, and our people take up so readily all alarming accounts, which swell in their progress, that it is difficult to learn the truth till too late to profit by it. I think it is certain that heavy re-enforcements are reaching McClellan, and that they will leave no stone unturned to capture Richmond. I fear they will draw upon their Western army, leaving a force to make ours, and thus render it unavailable to us. I hear nothing of Pemberton's troops or of the conscripts from the south. We must endeavor to arouse our people. This army is improving, increasing, reorganizing, and undergoing daily instruction. When we get the new officers in their places, I mean the present vacancies filled, their improvement will be more apparent. I need not tell you that the whole division take stone from its commander. The brigade receives its share in addition to what is imparted from the brigadiers.
I am, with esteem, 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 51, Serial No. 108, Pages 1074-1075, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
