Summary:
Richard E. Byrd writes General Robert E. Lee in April, 1861, to discuss important points in northwestern Virginia threatened by a Union build-up in Chambersburg.

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Gen. ROBERT E. LEE;

WINCHESTER, VA.,

May 1, 1861.

SIR:

Though personally unknown to you, I take the liberty of addressing you this letter. There is now, it is said, under arms at Chambersburg, Pa., a large military force, designed, it is thought, to act upon the nearest important points in Virginia. Martinsburg, the seat of justice for the county of Berkeley, Va., is such a point. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad passes through or immediately by it, and has there one of its most important stations for the repair, & C., of its engines, & C. The military occupation of that place would in a material degree give a hostile force the control of that great work. There is a railroad from Chambersburg to Hagerstown, and the latter place is distant from Martinsburg only about fourteen or fifteen miles, and the entire distance from Chambersburg to Martinsburg, even if from the former place to Hagerstown there was not a railroad, does not much, if any, exceed a days' march. In consideration of the motive which prompts it, I trust you will pardon the liberty I take in addressing this communication to you.

With highest respect, I remain, your obedient servant, &c.,

RICAHRD E. BYRD.

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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 62-63, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.