Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03156 Author/Creator: Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 23 April 1862 Pagination: 3 p. ; 25 x 20 cm Order a Copy
Discusses at some length T. J. ("Stonewall") Jackson's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. With full-page postscript, initialed by Lee.
Notes: Published in Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Volume 11, part 3, p. 458-459.
Headquarters
Richmond, Va
23d. April 1862
Genl. J. E. Johnston
Commdg &c
Lee's Farm
Gen:
I have received to night your two letters of yesterday's date. The points in one have been replied to in my letter of this morning. I informed you of the conditions of affairs upon the Rappahannock, and such troops as I had been able to send there. I have heard nothing since except the arrival at Urbana of two large gunboats, one of wh: apparently contained troops. Should an advance be contemplated from the Rappahannock, it wd. require some time to assemble a sufficient force. In that event, the course you suggest seems to me the only one we can pursue. I will endeavor to keep you advised of the progress of events north of this place. I will follow your suggestion when any important dispatch is forwarded to you by telegraph. I directed the Qr. Mr. Genl. this morning to have the bridges on the Chickahominy [2] repaired.
I have heard of no boats going up the bay from Frt. Monroe, but two steamers & twenty sail vessels. I presumed they were going for provisions, & thought probably their object to be the seizure of corn from the counties bordering on the Rappahannock. My last accounts from Genl Jackson were dated 21st., he was then at "Swift Run Gap." Ewell had reached Gordonsville. I have heard nothing of the further advance of the enemy in the valley, nor of the junction of Jackson & Ewell. Fields position as far as I understand, it, is on the Ta river; where it is crossed by the Telegraph road, about 13 miles this side of Fredericksburg, his cavalry was advanced to within four miles of Fredericksburg.
I am very respy
Your obt servt
R E Lee
General
[3] P.S. I have neglected to mention that the only troops that I have heard of having left New Berne, was Genl Renos brigade of 5 regts; who landed at E. City on the Pasquotank with a view of destroying the lock of the Canal, to prevent our iron clad boats from Norfolk reaching Albemarle Sound. They were met at South Mills by the 13. Ga Col Wright & Mc.Comas light battery, and driven back with great loss, burning the bridges in their rear, taking to their boats and departing. We captured considerable ammunition, some arms &c, but I regret to add that Capt. Mc.Comas fell, while gallantly fighting his battery.
R E L
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