Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to John W. Ellis
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04082 Author/Creator: Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 31 May 1861 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25 x 19.8 cm Order a Copy
Head Quarters, Va. Forces,
Richmond, May 31st. 1861
To His Excellency
Inv: W. Ellis,
Govr of North Carolina,
Raleigh
N. C.
Sir,
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 24th inst. The [strikeout] field batteries, proposed to be sent to Virginia will be of great service. I respectfully urge that they be forwarded as soon as possible. If instructed companies accompany them and if they are provided with proper equipments, caissons, ammunition &c, they can be at once placed in the field. There is such a constant demand for Artillery harness, ammunition, and every kind of military equipment, that it is difficult to procure them here, or at other points in the State. If it is possible to provide them in North Carolina, it will save much delay in bringing the batteries into the field.
I would also recommend that carriages, caissons and battery wagons be made for the other bronze field guns you possess, so that they may be ready when required for service, either at home or abroad.
It has been determined by the Govr and Council of the State to send to Fayetteville, machinery from the Harper's Ferry works for the manufacture of small arms. I will endeavor to expedite its delivery. Most of this machinery is at [2] Winchester or Strausburg. The former Superintendent of the Harpers Ferry Arsenal has been sent to Raleigh to make arrangements for its transportation. The means of transportation of the Rail Roads are so constantly required for forwarding troops and munitions of war, that the transit of other matter is necessarily delayed.
I am very glad to learn your preparation to bring into the field the Volunteer Regiments of your State. Knowing the importance of holding [struck: open our communication with] Norfolk, which commands the communications with N.C. both by canal and rail road, and in view of the possible occupation of Suffolk, or some other point of the Norfolk and Petersburg Rail Road by the United States Forces, thereby closing the communication between Richmond and Norfolk, I took the liberty of recommending you, through Govr Letcher, to forward reinforcements to Norfolk, and to transfer your camp of instruction from Weldon to Suffolk. I hope that both of these propositions meet with your approbation.
I am, Sir,
With great respect,
Your obd't serv't
R E Lee
General Commanding
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.