| Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia |
| January 20, 1864 |
| |
| General A. R. Lawton |
| Quarter-Master General |
| |
| General,
|
| I design sending General Hoke to North Carolina
on special service. About 1,000 of his men will leave Gordonsville
this evening about 7 p.m. for Richmond {on the
Virginia Central RR}, and the remainder, about the same number, to-morrow evening, 21st.
I have divided them in order that they might take the down freight
trains, so as not to interfere with the supply of provisions for
this army. I request that you will forward them to Petersburg
to General Pickett, who will give them further orders. They can
march from Richmond
to Petersburg, if more convenient, but you will have to forward their camp
equipage. I shall direct General Pickett, in forwarding them on, to
employ the empty trains going south {on the
Petersburg RR} and endeavor not to embarrass
the transportation of supplies on the road. Please make arrangements
to pass them right through Richmond. Each regiment will be in charge of its commanding officer. General
Hoke will see to their conveyance from Petersburg.
|
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
|
| R. E. Lee
|
| General |
|