| Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia |
| October 16, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War, Richmond, Va. |
|
| Sir,
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| *****
|
| The enemy in retreating from the
Rappahannock completely destroyed the {Orange
& Alexandria RR} bridge over that river, blowing up one
of the piers. It would take me a long time to rebuild it. I can
therefore make no use of the railroad. I have destroyed the bridges
over Cub Run this side of Manassas Junction, over Broad Run at this
place, and Cedar Run south of Catlett's Station, and torn up the
track between the points named, burning the ties and bending the
rails. The water stations have also been destroyed, and I shall
continue the destruction of the road to the Rappahannock {a
total of 24 miles -- a job completed according to a November 10th
letter to President Davis}. It may prevent the return of the
enemy to that river this winter. A severe easterly storm has been
raging all day. The ground is saturated with water and the streams
are much swollen. Unless I see that some good will be obtained by
remaining here longer, I shall return to the Rappahannock.
|
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
|
| R. E. Lee
|
|
General
|
|
{Three days later, Lee orders Gen. Stuart to
cover the working parties hauling the iron south of the
Rappahannock. (pt. 2, p. 794).}
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