Smith, Gustavus W. (1821-1896) to Robert E. Lee
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00648 Author/Creator: Smith, Gustavus W. (1821-1896) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 6 October 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 27.5 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
Confederate Major General Smith discusses troop activities and movements, including an attack on Union gunboats. Also discusses a requisition for "negroes to work upon the fortifications under recent act of the Legislature - When we get negroes the works will be finished rapidly to completion." Refers to the request of North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance "for more protection for the eastern portion of the state." Writes "The yellow fever at Wilmington will prevent the enemy from attempting anything in that quarter for some time to come - and during the epidemic the Troops had better be removed except from the fortification." Followed by a portion of a 15 October 1862 letter to George W. Randolph, as this was apparently a retained copy from Smith's notebook. Written from Head Quarters.
[draft]
[excerpt]
[1]…The firing alluded to it seems was an attack made by our picket regiment upon their gunboats. In which it is reported we drove them off with very small loss in our side. …
[excerpt]
[1]… Requisitions are being made out by Col Gillman for negroes to work upon the fortifications under [struck: the] recent act of the Legislature - When we get the negroes the works will be [2] pushed rapidly to completion - I have also directed workm[strikeout][inserted: e]n to be placed upon the bridge of the Fredericksburg R.R.…
[excerpt]
[2]…The Yellow fever at Wilmington will prevent the enemy from attempting anything in that quarter for some time to come - and during the epidemic the Troops had better be removed except from the fortification
Governor Vance of North Carolina is here asking for more protection for the eastern portion of the state -
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