| Richmond, Va. |
| September 6, 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency the President of the
Confederate States |
| |
| Mr. President, |
| I have arranged with the
Quartermaster-General for the transportation of Longstreet's Corps,
and have given the necessary orders for the movement of the troops
and their subsistence on the road. I go to the Army of Northern
Virginia to-morrow morning to assist in carrying out what has been
directed, and to make whatever other arrangements may be necessary.
As regards myself, should you think that the service will be
benefited by my repairing to the Army of Tennessee, I will of course
submit to your judgment. From your knowledge of all the
circumstances attending the operations of both armies, you can come
to a more correct conclusion than I can from my point of view. In my
conversation with you on this subject when the question was
proposed. I did not intend to decline the service, if desired that I
should undertake it, but merely to express the opinion that the duty
could be better performed by the officers already in that
department. |
| I am, with great esteem, your obedient
servant |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
|