Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) to Robert E. Lee

Richmond Va.
June 28. 1863
General
Yours of the 23d received this evening and I hasten to reply to the point presented in relation to the forces on the coast of S. Carolina & Ga. The hopes indulged as to our operations at the time which would intervene between the discharge of the Enemy's trained troops and the substitution of them by others have been disappointed by the very error against which it was sought by warning to guard.
Grant reached the river, got reinforcements, made entrenchments, and genl. Johnston continued to call for reinforcements, though his first requisition was more than filled by withdrawing troops from Genls. Beauregard and Bragg.
Genl. Bragg is threatened with attack, has fallen back to his entrenched position at Tullahoma and called on Buckner for aid.
Genl. Beauregard says that no troops have been withdrawn by the Enemy from his front since those returned to New Bern and that his whole force is necessary to cover his line. [2] This being in answer to a proposition to him to follow the movement of the Enemy said to be to the West with all his disposible force, pointing him at the same time to the vital importance of holding the Missi. and communicating the fear that Vicksburg would fall unless Johnston was strongly and promtly reinforced.
D. H. Hill has a small force part of which has been brought here. Clingman's Brigade is near Wilmington Colquits Kinston, Martins (nominal) on R. R. Weldon &c. Cookes, Ransoms and Jenkins have been brought here the two last temporarily from the defence of Petersburg and the country thereabout. Wise's Brigade is as you left it, engaged in the defence of Richmond and serving in the country to the East of the City. The Enemy have been reported in large force at the White House with indications of an advance on Richmond. We are organizing companies for home defence and the spirit of resistance is increasing. Corse's Brigade in accordance with your orders left Hanover junction. All the artillery I am informed was taken away and the single Regt. of Infy. which constituted the guard for the bridges proved unequal to the duty as you have no doubt learned.
[3] Reinforcement was ordered to go up, but some delay occurred and they arrived too late to save the bridge as the brave guard which had unsuccessfully defended it. The Yankees reported to be three Regts. of Cavalry returned from the Central road in the direction of Hanover old town and nothing has been heard of them since. It is stated that genl. W. H. Lee was captured at the house of Mr. Wickham but I trust it will prove to be one of the many startling rumors which the news mongers invent.
The advance of your army increased our want for Cavalry on the North and East of the city, but except one Regt. from No. Ca. I do not know of any which we can expect soon to be available to us. In yours of the 20th you say "If any of the brigades that I have left behind for the protection of Richmond can in your opinion be spared I should like them to be sent to me". It has been an effort with me to answer the clamor to have troops stopped or recalled to protect the city and the R. Roads communicating with your Army. Corse's Brigade has gone and Wise's is the only other left by you. Cooke's was in No. Ca. and Davis' Brigade was sent, to complete Heth's division, in place of Cooke's. Ransom's & Jenkins' constitute the defence of the South side as far as Weldon and are relied on for service [4] elsewhere from Wilmington to Richmond.
Genl. Elzy is positive that the Enemy intend to attack here, and his scouts bring intelligence which if I believed it would render no more anxious for the City than at any former time
I do not believe the Yankees have such force as is stated but that they have enough to render it necessary to keep some troops within reach and some at Petersburg at least until Suffolk is truly evacuated.
Do not understand me as balancing accounts in the matter of Brigades, I only regret that I have not many to send you, and enough to form an army to threaten if not capture Washington as soon as it is uncovered by Hooker's army. My purpose was to show you that the force here and in N. C. is very small and [inserted: I may add] that the Brigades are claimed by others as property of their command. Our information as to the Enemy may be more full and reliable hereafter, it now is not materially greater than when you were here.
Very Respectfully
& truly your's
Jefferson Davis
Genl. R. E. Lee
Hd. Qrs. Army N. Va.