| Headquarters |
| June 5, 1862 |
|
|
| Maj. W. H. Stevens
|
| Chief Engineer Army of Northern Virginia
|
|
|
| Major,
|
| The only way by which the enemy can
convey heavy artillery from the Chickahominy is the {Richmond
&} York River Railroad. It has occurred to me that he is
constructing a railroad battery, probably plated with iron, to push
along the road and sweep the country. That may be the object of his
blind on the railroad. Can you not take a position, probably where
General Toombs is stationed, and erect a battery to oppose him? If
we can hold him on the railroad he cannot advance by his present
front, I think, for I do not see how he can provision his troops. If
we could construct a railroad battery, though, plated and protected
with a heavy gun, it would probably be preferable to a fixed gun.
What do you think of its practicability? Please let me know what
progress you are making and the condition of affairs.
|
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
|
| R. E. Lee
|
| General
|
|