Summary:
Robert E. Lee writes to Secretary of War James Seddon in February, 1863, with
news of a report made by cavalry commander W. E. Jones. Lee discusses Jones'
reports on the availability of cattle in the Valley. Lee also mentions that
surplus bacon is being sent to Staunton.
Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War:
HDQRS. ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
February 5, 1863.
SIR:
Gen. W. E. Jones, commanding in the Valley District, who has been directed to send into certain counties in the west with the view of obtaining cattle and other supplies of meat for the use of the army, reports under date of 1st instant the steps he has taken. There are but few cattle in the Valley of the Shenandoah, and they have been secured for the troops under his command. The surplus bacon of the Valley has been untouched, and measures have been taken to secure it and forward it at once to Staunton. Two companies of cavalry have been sent to Hardy, Hampshire, and adjoining counties for the purpose of securing beef, and one company to Loudoun and Fauquier for the same purpose. Gen. Jones reports that flour can be had in large quantities in the upper part of the Valley, the supply being only limited by the transportation. He suggests the propriety of the Government buying stock cattle and feeding them in the upper Valley on ground wheat and hay from the supply of beef in the spring. I regard the suggestion worthy of consideration and accordingly it to you.
I have the honor to be, 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 51, Serial No. 108, Pages 676, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
