Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to Louis T. Wigfall
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00952 Author/Creator: Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) Place Written: Head Quarters, Army Northern Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 8 February 1865 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Asking for troops from West of the Mississippi to defend Virginia. Transcript in seller's description. Written two days after Lee had been appointed commander-in-chief.
Hd Qrs: Army N Va
8th Febry 1865
Honorable Louis T. Wigfall
Richmond
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter of the 3rd inst with reference to permitting the Texas Brigade to return home to recruit.
No troops in the army have earned a better title to indulgence then the brave Texas Brigade, and to none would I more willingly grant any privilege consistent with the interests of the service. I have no doubt but that they would return, and I hope they would realize all you promise in the way of recruits. But it is impossible for me to detach any men from this army now. I do not think that we shall remain long inactive. Operations on our rights have already begun, and there are indications of movements in other quarters in which this army has an immediate concern. Such is our great want of men, that the absence of even four hundred would be severely felt, especially four hundred of our best troops. I see no way to accomplish your wish except by first bringing some regiments or a brigade from Texas to take the place of these men here. If that can be done, I need not say how much pleasure it would afford me to let the old brigade go home, & how pleased I should be to see it return augmented to a division.
[2] I do think it extremely important that some of the troops west of the Mississippi should be brought to this side. The enemy has brought away a large part of the force with which he has been operating in the West, and concentrated upon our Eastern armies. I think we must do the same with ours, and will be greatly obliged for any assistance you can render to accomplish it. We are greatly in need of men.
Very respectfully
Your obt. servt
R. E. Lee
Genl
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