| Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia |
| Petersburg, June 28, 1864 |
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| Hon. Secretary of War |
| Richmond, Va.
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| Sir, |
| I hope with the facilities
that have been furnished the {Richmond &} Danville Railroad Company that the road
will soon be put in running order again. I beg that you will exert
your influence with the officers to stimulate them to the utmost
exertion, not only to repair the track, but to increase its capacity
as much as possible, and that you will extend to them all the
material aid in your power. When the repairs shall have been
completed it is of great importance that the fact: should not be
known to the enemy, and I trust that you will prevail upon the
newspaper publishers to abstain from any reference to it, even by
implication. If they announce that the road is again open it will
only invite another expedition of the enemy against it. I
respectfully suggest that you extend this warning so as to embrace
all the roads that have been damaged, and are now being repaired.
Great injury may result from imprudent publications on this subject. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| R. E. Lee |
| General |
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